August 4 & 5, 2025

The International Meeting of the 2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs ended in Hiroshima City on August 4 after adopting a declaration which calls on “the peoples of the world to take grand actions for prevention of nuclear war and the elimination of nuclear weapons.”

On the first day of the 2-day meeting, Noguchi Kunikazu, co-head of the World Conference Steering Committee, gave a speech on behalf of the organizer. Stating that this year marks 80 years since the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he appealed for the need to restore the peace order based on the UN Charter and international law as well as to develop a global solidarity and cooperation in order to realize a peaceful and sustainable world.

In each session during the meeting, Japanese and overseas activists shared civil society’s efforts made in nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-dependent countries to overcome the “nuclear deterrence” theory and change these governments’ nuclear policies. They also exchanged views on how to promote international joint actions aimed at achieving a world without nuclear weapons.

The adopted Declaration states that people in the world “are once again facing the danger of the use of nuclear weapons” and thus “overcoming the ‘nuclear deterrence’ doctrine has become ever more important.” It urges nuclear-armed states and their allies to abandon their “nuclear deterrence” policy. It stresses that the collaboration between civil society, led by atomic bomb survivors, and governments around the world is the world’s mainstream, and that it is urgent to expand public support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and to increase the number of participating countries.

The Declaration states, “Let us develop diverse forms of actions for the elimination of nuclear weapons as our common goal everywhere in the world, placing the effort to inherit and disseminate the damage and sufferings of the A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

On August 4, following the International Meeting, a special program of this year’s World Conference took place, with 2,000 people, including overseas delegates, participating, to commemorate 80 years since the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. In the program, Hiroshima A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha) talked about their own experience struggling to survive and young peace activists expressed their determination to pass on the testimonies and struggles of Hibakusha to future generations.

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2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs
Declaration of the International Meeting

In the 80th Year of the A-Bombing -- Decision and Action Now to
Abolish Nuclear Weapons!

It will soon be 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped by the US on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Now, in this 80th year, the world must make a decision to abolish nuclear weapons and to take necessary actions to implement that commitment. Assembled in Hiroshima, we recall anew the unspeakable devastation caused by nuclear weapons, and appeal to the people around the world to open the road to a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world.

The atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with their unparalleled destructive power and radiation, instantly incinerated the two cities and claimed the lives of about 210,000 people by the end of that year. It was called “hell on earth.” The agonies of hell also caught those who survived. The survivors suffered from the deep sorrow of losing their loved ones, as well as the health aftereffects of the atomic bombs, discrimination, prejudice and economic hardship.
The determination that this tragedy must never be repeated anywhere on Earth was the foundation of post-war politics. The United Nations, established to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which … has brought untold sorrow to mankind” (UN Charter), decided in its first General Assembly resolution (January 24, 1946) on “the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons ….”
Despite the escalation of the US-Soviet nuclear arms race and repeated nuclear confrontations and crises, testimonies of Hibakusha and the voices and the inspired actions of citizens around the world prevented the use of nuclear weapons. The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A-and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) was a recognition and encouragement of their historic contributions.

We are once again facing the danger of the use of nuclear weapons. In particular, it is serious that countries that are using force in violation of the UN Charter and pursuing large-scale military buildups are openly declaring their dependence on nuclear forces. Russia's nuclear threats, as it continues its invasion of Ukraine, Israel and the US' preemptive attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, the strengthening of “nuclear deterrence” and modernization of nuclear weapons by the US and other NATO countries, the dangerous standoff between India and Pakistan, and the tensions and nuclear arms buildup in East Asia are all serious developments. The claim that nuclear weapons are “essential for security” cannot be disregarded, as it provokes the impulse to possess nuclear weapons.
In order to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and advance toward their abolition, overcoming the “nuclear deterrence” doctrine has become ever more important. “Nuclear deterrence” is a policy based on the premise of a catastrophic outcome from a nuclear attack, far greater than the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and is absolutely unacceptable from a humanitarian and moral standpoint. At the same time, the “failure” or “malfunction” of the “nuclear deterrence” policy could lead to catastrophic consequences beyond national borders. In fact, situations where nuclear weapons were nearly used due to miscalculations or misperceptions have repeatedly occurred. No country can guarantee its safety through “nuclear deterrence.” We strongly urge nuclear-armed states and their allies to abandon this inhumane and extremely dangerous policy.

However, we have a clear vision for overcoming this crisis and moving forward. The path to achieving world peace and security lies not in pursuing national interests through force, but in restoring order based on the UN Charter. Efforts to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons” are a critically important element.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which outlaws nuclear weapons and comprehensively prohibits their activities, has been ratified by 73 countries and signed by 94 countries. It is becoming an international norm. The collaboration between civil society, led by atomic bomb survivors, and governments around the world that gave birth to this treaty created the world’s mainstream . This treaty, created with the resolve to “contribute to the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations” (Preamble to the TPNW), has now become “a beacon of hope in these turbulent times” (Political Declaration of the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW). It is urgent to expand public support for the TPNW and to increase the number of participating countries.

We must not allow the pursuit of national interests through force, such as successive wars and the use of military force. The voices of citizens and many countries calling for peace based on the UN Charter and international law are reinforcing the global mainstream. We demand an immediate end to Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and a just, peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of the State of Palestine, based on the international law and UN resolutions. The establishment of a “Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction” has become even more important. Russia's invasion of Ukraine must be brought to an end based on the UN Charter and international law.
Efforts toward nuclear disarmament and inclusiveness are being made in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Issues that are causing tension and confrontation in East Asia should also be resolved through diplomacy, including the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Initiative (AOIP). We call for realizing peace in this region. Denuclearization and peace building on the Korean Peninsula must be pursued jointly through negotiations.

Stopping the enormous increase in military spending has become an important issue for protecting peace and livelihood. We must not allow discrimination, division, and xenophobia to aggravate tensions and conflicts.

Japan is the only country to have suffered from the atomic bombings in war, and its constitution enshrines the peace principles based on reflection on its war of aggression. As we mark 80 years since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II, Japan's responsibility for international community is greater than ever. We stand in solidarity with the Japanese movement calling on the Japanese government to join the TPNW and to provide state compensation for Hibakusha. It is a matter of grave concern that Japan is becoming increasingly complicit in the US nuclear strategy, as evidenced by the formulation of the "Guidelines for Extended Deterrence" and discussions on the use of nuclear weapons by the US military. The Japanese movement calling for peace diplomacy based on the Constitution and opposing the military build-up and the strengthening of the Japan-US military alliance is an important contribution to peace in Asia. We express our solidarity with the struggle to reduce and remove US military bases in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan.

We call on the peoples of the world to take grand actions for prevention of nuclear war and the elimination of nuclear weapons:

― Let us develop diverse forms of actions for the elimination of nuclear weapons as our common goal everywhere in the world, placing the effort to inherit and disseminate the damage and sufferings of the A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let us promote efforts in each country to raise awareness of the real damage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as nuclear tests, including inviting Hibakusha for speaking tours. To that end, let us appeal to the governments in many countries and the UN for support. Let us stop any forms of nuclear tests. Let us achieve compensation and assistance to the Hibakusha and nuclear test victims.

― Let us build up public opinion and movements calling for joining in the TPNW in each country. Especially, it is important to do so in nuclear-armed states and countries that rely on the “nuclear umbrella.” Let us participate in and cooperate with efforts to support Hibakusha and nuclear test victims and to restore the environment (TPNW Articles 6 and 7).

― Let us further develop cooperation with governments and the United Nations that pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons. Let us call for international joint action to take place on the occasion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference planned for 2026. Let us set the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this Autumn and the 2026 NPT Review Conference as important milestone and strengthen our cooperation with governments that share our goal.

― Let us uphold the UN Charter, oppose aggression, war, and military buildup, and work in solidarity with various movements seeking peace and disarmament to develop a global movement toward a “nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world.” Let us demand compensation and support for victims of war and of Agent Orange in particular, and the eradication of such harm. Let us make a shift from the trend for confrontation, division and military buildup so that resources can be used for the solution of various problems facing humanity. Let us address gender equality as an indispensable issue for peace and nuclear disarmament. Let us develop solidarity and cooperation with movements addressing issues such as the environment and climate crisis, poverty and inequality, discrimination and xenophobia, human rights, and democracy.

August 4, 2025
International Meeting
2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs