World Reminded: Importance of Never Forgetting by Steinmeier
In August 2025, the world marked the 80th anniversary of the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a renewed call for nuclear disarmament. This solemn commemoration took place across multiple locations in Germany, as well as globally, emphasising remembrance of the victims and survivors, and urging the eradication of nuclear weapons to maintain global peace.
The events in Germany were a response to recent nuclear threats, serving as a call for the international community to take action to prevent a renewed nuclear attack. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier marked the anniversary, recalling the human suffering and historical responsibility associated with the bombings. He appealed to the international community to do everything possible to prevent a renewed nuclear attack.
The bombings, which occurred on August 6 and 9, 1945, almost completely destroyed both Japanese cities, resulting in the immediate death of tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians. Many more people died later due to long-term effects of radiation exposure.
The events in Germany aim to send a signal for peace and disarmament, honouring the victims who died instantly and later due to the long-term effects of radiation exposure. They are a testament to Germany's commitment to remembering and learning from the past.
The commemorations included various events held on August 6 and 9, such as ceremonies, speeches, and the planting of tree saplings, symbolising resilience and hope. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a message at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, honouring survivors and victims.
The UN highlights the nuclear threat as existential and calls for "real change" to eliminate nuclear weapons to protect future generations. The international representation at Japan's annual memorial service in Hiroshima, which saw representatives from a record 120 countries and organizations, demonstrated broad international recognition and shared commitment to peace and nuclear non-proliferation.
The hibakusha survivors continue to serve as a "moral force for peace," their testimonies compelling global commitments to nuclear disarmament and honoring their legacy. Pope Leo XIV reflected on the bombings as a universal warning against nuclear devastation, urging the world to move beyond a "false sense of security" based on nuclear deterrence towards justice, dialogue, and fraternity.
While Japan has upheld its pacifist constitution renouncing war since 1945, current security concerns around North Korea and China have spurred evolving debates on its defense posture, posing complex challenges for nuclear risk prevention. In the United States, views remain mixed about the justification of the atomic bombings, indicating ongoing controversies about nuclear weapons' role in history and deterrence.
Overall, the 80th anniversary underscored a renewed global call for nuclear disarmament, reinforced multilateral cooperation on nuclear threat reduction, and remembrance to ensure such devastation never recurs. These efforts include treaties, diplomatic engagement, survivor testimonies, and symbolic acts like planting tree saplings to inspire hope and vigilance against nuclear conflict.
The events in Germany, following the renewed nuclear threats, serve as a general-news call to action for the international community, advocating for prevention of a renewed nuclear attack and adhering to political commitments towards nuclear disarmament. The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, addressing the 80th anniversary commemoration, emphasized the necessity of global change to protect future generations from nuclear devastation, honoring the victims and survivors who perished in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
