Forum de l'organisation "Mayors for Peace"

Presented on behalf of the Director-General by
Ms. Anja Kaspersen, Director, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA)- Geneva Branch and Deputy Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament

Mr. Matsui,
Mr. Imanishi,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Director-General very much regrets that he cannot be here today and sends his best regards. He has asked me to deliver the following remarks on his behalf:

“Ladies and gentlemen:

A warm welcome to the Palais des Nations! Thank you to everyone involved, in particular to the Mayors for Peace, for bringing us together today.

In our garden in the Palais grows a Gingko tree, a gift from the Mayors for Peace which we planted together a few years ago. The Gingko was the first tree that grew again after the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. As our Gingko blossoms and grows, it stands as a solemn reminder. A reminder of the horrific humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. But a reminder as well of how the heroic survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - the Hibakusha - have transformed their tragedy into a message of hope for the world.

The use of nuclear weapons should be unthinkable. Yet tensions escalate, anxieties deepen, proliferation accelerates – while disarmament remains paralyzed.

There are some fifteen thousand nuclear weapons in existence. We know that a world free of these doomsday weapons is a global vision that requires a global response.

̶ This is why – from the very first General Assembly resolution in 1946 to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – nuclear disarmament has been a foundational objective for the United Nations.

̶ This is why we at UN Geneva are proud to host the Second Preparatory Committee of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a Treaty that is of vital importance for the future of disarmament.

̶ This is why every single country has a responsibility to contribute towards the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. The nuclear-weapon states have a special responsibility to lead.

̶ This is why, finally, the campaign to end nuclear weapons should not be left to national governments alone. Citizens and cities, civil society and local leaders across the world must make themselves heard. The young especially, have the potential to become powerful advocates, and I commend and take courage from the commitment of the young leaders with us today.

I wish you every success in your efforts.”

These were the words of the Director-General.

Thank you.