UNITAR, Hiroshima Host Youth Talks for Nuclear-Free Peace

6 August 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - On 6 August 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe), held a youth dialogue for international peace, " 80 Years After the Hiroshima A-bomb: Youth Messages from Hiroshima to the World - Roadmaps Towards a World Without Nuclear Weapons and Sustainable Peace. "

Young people from Hiroshima presented a concrete roadmap towards a "peaceful world without nuclear weapons by 2050" and discussed them with prominent experts and practitioners. It allowed the young participants, primarily high school students from Hiroshima Prefecture, to deepen their proposals and translate them into action. The event was livestreamed on YouTube and screened live at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

In the youth dialogue, 22 youth participants - high school students from Hiroshima Prefecture who explored peace and nuclear disarmament in this year's UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme and high school students from Nagasaki - engaged in discussions with global experts and practitioners. Approximately 50 other university and high school students attended as audience members.

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Member of the House of Representatives and former Prime Minister of Japan, was welcomed as a guest. Other guests were as follows:

• Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
• Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture / President of Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe)
• Mr. Toshiharu Goto, Hibakusha (atomic bombing survivor)
• Ms. Luli van der Does, Director of the Center for Peace, University of Hiroshima
• Mr. Régis Savioz, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Committee of the Red Cross

Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and UNITAR Executive Director, moderated the event.

The event opened with Mr. Kishida expressing strong hopes that the experiences and words of atomic bomb survivors and efforts for peace will be passed on across generations and nations. He stated that now was the time to strengthen solidarity and action towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The current international security environment is becoming increasingly severe and complex, with the division in the stance and views of countries becoming more pronounced. The harsh reality surrounding nuclear disarmament stands before us as an even greater obstacle than before. However, precisely because of this, we must once again stand together to increase the momentum within the international community towards nuclear disarmament. No matter how difficult it may be, we must continue to take steps towards realizing a world without nuclear weapons. I believe this is Japan's long-standing mission as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war." - Mr. Fumio Kishida, Member of the House of Representatives and former Prime Minister of Japan

Since June 2025, the UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassadors had participated in a series of training sessions to deepen their understanding of peace and nuclear disarmament and worked in groups to develop a roadmap for achieving a nuclear-free and peaceful world by 2050. The roadmaps were an exploration from three perspectives: peace education, the heritage of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki experiences, and human rights and international law.

The 6 August dialogue gave the youth participants the opportunity to present their work, engage with practitioners about challenges in implementing these proposals and possible improvements, and receive advice from experienced pioneers.

In the group focusing on international law and the United Nations, we presented a roadmap for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the veto power at the UN. We then had the opportunity to receive feedback from UN officials who are working on the front lines of these global efforts. It was a deeply valuable experience that encouraged me to envision the future and reflect on the actions we can take now." ―Marika Hird, UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme participant

In today's presentation, we performed a play that helped us imagine who we might be 25 years from now. In the dialogue that followed, we had the opportunity to ask Governor Yuzaki directly what we can do in a future where we may no longer be able to hear hibakusha testimonies firsthand. We received valuable advice on learning about peace and how we can take action. I'm truly glad I was able to participate in this programme. ― Uta Yamanaka, UNITAR Hiroshima Youth Ambassador Programme participant

The proposed roadmap is expected to serve as a foundation for dialogue and action towards a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons. To advance sustainable peace and inclusive prosperity, UNITAR will continue to strengthen its Hiroshima-based initiatives for nuclear disarmament and peacebuilding - including empowering youth - in collaboration with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and other stakeholders.

Recordings of the event can be watched on HOPe's YouTube channel.