UK Visit

The 13^th Executive Conference of Mayors for Peace was held in Manchester, England, which is a Vice-President City of the Mayors for Peace.

13^th Executive Conference of Mayors for Peace

The Executive Conference commenced with a review of the ongoing initiatives implemented under the current Action Plan (2021–2025). In particular, it was confirmed that Mayors for Peace will continue to focus on the promotion of a culture of peace, as each city is actively working to foster citizens' awareness of peace.
　　The secretariat then explained that the next action plan, which will cover the period from 2025 to 2029, will focus on the creation of an organizational framework centered on the secretariat and leader cities, and that it will place priority on sharing and communicating the reality of the ravages of war, and fostering youth who will be responsible for peace activities in the next generation.
　　Participants also held active discussions on the 11^th General Conference of Mayors for Peace to be held in Nagasaki City, the resumption of the Youth Exchange for Peace Support Program, and the holding of the A-bomb Poster Exhibition for Peace Support Program, and the holding of the A-bomb Poster Exhibition for the 80^th year since the atomic bombings in 2025.
　　During the discussions, participants exchanged views on the financial foundations for continued and stable activities. There were various comments and opinions on membership fees and donations and these will continue to be considered.
　　Based on these discussions, a summary notes of the Conference was adopted.
　　Through our attendance at this Executive Conference, we were reminded that, despite the current international situation of doubt and suspicion among nations, we, the Executive Cities of the Mayors for Peace, are united in our unwavering bond and share a strong desire for peace.
　　As an organization composed of local government leaders who protect the safety and security of their citizens, we will continue to work together with our member cities around the world in order to create a world where we can share a culture of peace in civil society including peace study for young citizens, aiming for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace, while further deepening our solidarity with each other.

Visit to Ireland

Before his visit to the UK, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, President of Mayors for Peace, was invited to Ireland, a country promoting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to convey the "Spirit of Hiroshima", a desire for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons that overcomes the deep sorrow and hatred of the past. He also called for understanding and cooperation in the efforts of the Mayors for Peace.

Speech in the Irish Parliament Senate

In his speech, Mayor Matsui quoted a passage from the work of the Irish Nobel Prize laureate Seamus Heaney, who said "how important hope is in the face of adversity." He then referred to the testimony of hibakusha, Teruko Yahata and the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, and stated that, with the worsening of global security, "this must be the time to unite the voices of peace-loving people around the world and strengthen their solidarity for peace" in order to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons.
　　Mayor Matsui also called for more Irish cities to join the Mayors for Peace, as Irish people with their rich culture can lead a culture of peace in the world. He received a warm round of applause.
　　In response, the representatives of each political party made speeches in which they expressed their "understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings" and their "solidarity with the activities of the Mayors for Peace".

Meeting with Ireland's President

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, gave encouragement to the Mayors for Peace and their activities, saying that building relationships among cities is important and wishing Mayors for Peace well in the future. When Mayor Matsui told the President that he is emphasizing the importance of communicating to the government what the citizens want and need now, and letting young people understand that fighting is the wrong path to take, the President said that nothing is more important than to appeal to the conscience that each citizen has and to promote learning.

Visit to the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb poster exhibition and exchange activities with local youth

The 'Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb' poster exhibition and the 'Sadako and the Paper Cranes' poster exhibition were held with the full cooperation of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Mayor Matsui attended the opening ceremonies at three locations and interacted with local students. The Q&A session with visitors provided an opportunity to further deepen their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.
During the visit to Ireland, we learned about the Irish people's desire for peace, who know the pain caused by war and violence, and deeply resonated with the fact that, as in Hiroshima, the citizens of Ireland have chosen the path of reconciliation.
We will continue to further strengthen our ties with the country and its member cities by expanding the number of member cities of the Mayors for Peace in Ireland and by promoting a culture of peace.
At the same time, through interactions with young people in Ireland, we were deeply encouraged by the interest many of them have in peace and were reminded of the importance of learning peace. As the hibakusha continue to age, it is important to pass the baton on to the next generation of young people, to ensure that a culture of peace will take root in civil society.