Nagasaki hosts the commencement of the Annual Conference for Mayors for Peace
The 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace, a worldwide organization of city leaders, is being held in Nagasaki from August 8 to 10. This conference is a significant event, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and serving as a platform for global discussions on nuclear disarmament and peace.
As of the beginning of August, Mayors for Peace had a total of 8,509 member cities in 166 countries and regions, demonstrating the growing global interest in nuclear disarmament and peace initiatives. The organization's goal is to reach 10,000 member cities, and it is intensively working to add about 1,600 more cities to its network.
The conference is not just a meeting of city leaders but a platform for strategic discussions and reaffirming commitments towards a nuclear-free future. At the opening ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui spoke, expressing a desire to expand global solidarity and chains of actions toward a peaceful world. Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki also addressed the conference, expressing a desire to learn from each city's peace efforts and find new collaborations.
Mayors for Peace promotes efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. The organization interacts with UN bodies such as the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). For example, UN High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu delivered remarks at their General Conference, highlighting collaboration with international disarmament frameworks.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution urging the U.S. to lead efforts in nuclear de-escalation and arms control, reflecting the supportive stance of local governments within Mayors for Peace’s global network toward reversing the nuclear arms race.
In addition to advocacy for nuclear disarmament, Mayors for Peace also focuses on promoting safe and resilient cities and fostering a culture of peace among all generations. They organize peace events, particularly in August, to mark the anniversaries of the atomic bombings. These events are designed to raise awareness of the impacts of nuclear weapons and foster a culture of peace among all generations, including children.
Hiroshima, the other atomic-bombed city, is located in western Japan. The quadrennial general conference of Mayors for Peace is alternately hosted by Nagasaki and Hiroshima. This year, the conference is being held in Nagasaki, emphasizing the power of local governments in advocating for nuclear disarmament and global peace.
[1] Mayors for Peace. (2025). About Mayors for Peace. Retrieved from https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/about/ [2] Mayors for Peace. (2025). 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace. Retrieved from https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/11th-general-conference/ [3] Mayors for Peace. (2025). Peace Education and Commemoration Events. Retrieved from https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/peace-education-and-commemoration-events/ [4] Mayors for Peace. (2025). Collaboration with International Bodies. Retrieved from https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/collaboration-with-international-bodies/ [5] Mayors for Peace. (2025). Supportive Resolutions and Global Advocacy. Retrieved from https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/supportive-resolutions-and-global-advocacy/
- At the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace in Nagasaki, discussions on nuclear disarmament, peace, and general news will likely be covered in photographs documenting the event, showcasing the global solidarity among city leaders working towards a peaceful world.
- In parallel with global discussions on war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news at the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace, Mayors for Peace will continue to promote peace education and commemoration events, highlighting the impacts of nuclear weapons and fostering a culture of peace among all generations.
