Strengthening of Mayors for Peace Activities
Visits to America and Mexico
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Mr. Yasuyoshi Komizo, Secretary-General of Mayors for Peace, and Chairperson of this Foundation, made visits to America and Mexico in February 2014.
The aims of the visits were to request that the Mayors for Peace Vice President cities assume the post of Leader Cities, to attend the Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, to strengthen ties with the United Nations, and more.
Mr. Komizo's main activities are outlined below.
Request to Mayors for Peace Vice-President Cities to become Leader Cities
Mr. Komizo made requests to the mayor of Akron City (America), the mayor of Mexico City (Mexico), and the mayor of Frogn City (Norway), who attended the Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, to assume the position of Leader Cities.
The mayor of Akron City accepted, while the other two cities responded that they would consider the proposal with a view to possibly accepting.
Mr. Komizo had discussions with each of the mayors about future Mayors for Peace activities.
Attending the Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons
This conference took place in Mexico on February 13 and 14, 2014.
Representatives from 146 nations attended.
Mr. Komizo presented his opinion at the A-bomb testimony session at the start of the conference.
After expressing his gratitude and respect for the A-bomb survivors,
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he stated that we have now reached the time where the people of the world must solemnly accept the message of the A-bomb survivors―the message that such a tragedy must not be inflicted on anyone ever again―a noble message that comes from their deep yet irrepressible emotions as human beings.
He also said that it is the "global community" approach that will guarantee a new type of international security that can be trusted and will become the foundation for lasting world peace.
The speech was followed by a discussion between the national government representatives, NGO representatives, disarmament experts and A-bomb survivors living overseas on the abolition of nuclear weapons.
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Mr. Komizo expressing his opinion
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Strengthening ties with the United Nations
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Mr. Komizo with Ms. Angela Kane, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
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Mr. Komizo met with Ms. Angela Kane, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and explained the current Mayors for Peace activities.
He also asked for her cooperation for the meeting between Hiroshima Mayor Matsui and the UN Secretary-General when the mayor attends the NPT Review Conference Preparatory Committee meeting at the end of April.
Ms. Kane said that she has great respect for the fact that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are proactively communicating the A-bomb experience, and said that she is satisfied with the ties of cooperation that have been developed between the United Nations and Mayors for Peace.
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| (Peace and International Solidarity Promotion Division) |
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