OVER 90 countries including Japan called for preserving the memories of the devastation caused by nuclear attacks on Thursday during a preparatory meeting for next year’s UN nuclear disarmament review conference.
The move to issue the joint statement was led by Japan, with this year marking the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From among nuclear weapons states, Britain was the only one that joined.
“Among the disarmament education efforts around the world, the invaluable testimonies of those who experienced and witnessed the devastation caused by nuclear explosions and its aftermath have played an indispensable role,” the 94 state parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty said, touching on the contribution of Japan’s leading atomic bomb survivors’ group Nihon Hidankyo, which received the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
But the statement warned that “With time, it is becoming more and more difficult to have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts,” making each remaining testimony “even more precious”.
All NPT members were encouraged to “ensure the stories and memories of those affected are preserved and passed on to future generations”, the statement said. — Kyodo
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