World Conference against A & H Bombs to be held as historical event toward NPT Review Conference

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

World Conference against A & H Bombs to be held as historical event toward NPT Review Conference

'The 2009 World Conference against A & H Bombs will be an historic event tasked to prepare to make the 2010 NPT Review Conference successful," according to the Organizing Committee of the World Conference.

The Organizing Committee held its general meeting on February 12 in Tokyo and decided to hold the 2009 World Conference from August 3 to 9 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In an adopted appeal, the Organizing Committee called for support to and participation in the upcoming World Conference.

Taka Hiroshi, secretary general of the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), gave the keynote report. He said, 'This year's World Conference has a more important role to play than ever before in helping to strengthen the cooperation between the world's governments and NGOs as well as in calling on the entire world to work together to get nuclear weapons abolished."

He also said the movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons should concentrate on efforts to help the public better understand the real horrors of the atomic bombings and the need to support the signature campaign 'For a nuclear-free world".

The appeal notes several developments favorable to the global efforts to get nuclear weapons abolished, including the inauguration of the new U.S. administration led by President Barack Obama, who has promised to support the quest for a world free of nuclear weapons. It also notes the significance of the 'Global Zero" movement launched by 100 political, military, business, faith, and civic leaders, including former U.S. and Russian presidents, and Nobel Prize laureates, and similar anti-nuclear calls made by former government and military officials in Britain and Germany.

The appeal stresses the importance of making a success of the upcoming 2009 World Conference with representatives from governments, NGOs, Japanese and international grassroots movements, and Hibakusha participating in order to develop actions based on global solidarity.

Under the slogan, 'For a Nuclear Weapon-Free, Peaceful and Just World", the 2009 World Conference against A & H Bombs will open with the International Meeting in Hiroshima (August 3 ? 5) followed by the World Conference - Hiroshima (August 5, 6) and the World Conference ? Nagasaki (August 7 ? 9). The International Youth Rally and Women's rally will be also held as related events.

- Akahata, February 13, 2009