PEACE CULTURE No.89

Messages from World Leaders

On May 19, the G7 leaders visited the Peace Memorial Museum and signed the guest book.

G7 nations

Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan

As Chair of the G7, I am gathering here to realize a "World Without Nuclear Weapons" with the leaders of G7 countries on this historic occasion of the G7 Summit.　(Provisional translation)

Mr. Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

With emotion and compassion, it is our responsibility to contribute to the duty of remembrance for the victims of Hiroshima and to act in favor of peace, the only fight worth pursuing.　(Provisional translation)

Mr. Joseph Robinette BIDEN, Jr., President of the United States of America

May the stories of this Museum remind us all of our obligations to build a future of peace. Together - let us continue to make progress toward the day when we can finally and forever rid the world of nuclear weapons. Keep the faith!

Mr. Justin TRUDEAU, Prime Minister of Canada

Canada pays solemn tribute to the many lives lost, the unspeakable grief of the Hibakusha, and the immense suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Your story will forever be engraved in our collective consciousness.　(Provisional translation)

Mr. Olaf SCHOLZ, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

This place evokes unimaginable suffering. Today, together with our partners, we renew the commitment to defend peace and freedom with utmost determination. A nuclear war must never be waged again.　(Provisional translation)

Ms. Giorgia MELONI, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic

Today we pause and remain in prayer. Today we remember that darkness did not prevail. Today we remember the past to build, together, a future of hope.　(Provisional translation)

Mr. Rishi SUNAK MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Shakespeare tells us to "give sorrow words". Yet language fails in the light of the bomb's flash. No words can describe the horror and suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But what we can say, with all our hearts, and all our souls, is no more.

Mr. Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

An immense tragedy took place here almost 80 years ago. It reminds us what we -as G7- are defending. And why we are defending it. Peace and freedom. Because it's what all human beings want most.

Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

What happened in Hiroshima is still today haunting humanity. It is a sterk reminder of the terrible cost of war - and our everlasting duty to protect and preserve peace.

On May 21, President Zelenskyy visited the Peace Memorial Museum and signed the guest book.

Ukraine

Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

On May 21, President Zelenskyy visited the Peace Memorial Museum and signed the guest book.

Deeply impressed by the visit to the (Peace Memorial) Museum. No country in the world should experience such pain and destruction. Nuclear threat has no place in today's world.　(Provisional translation)

(Source) Website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: "G7 HIROSHIMA 2023"

(Messages of G7 Leaders) https://www.g7hiroshima.go.jp/en/topics/detail014/
(Massage of Ukrainian President) https://www.g7japan-photo.go.jp/en/images/89