(Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace)

The promotion organization for the Hiroshima Initiative, a new proposal to achieve

a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

Message from the President

Hiroshima has a mission and a role to play because of the destruction it experienced from the first atomic bomb in human history and its recovery from the ruins. For this reason, Hiroshima is making a comprehensive effort for the abolition of nuclear weapons, reconstruction and peace building.
Nevertheless, many people around the world are suffering and dying from conflict, hunger, and poverty, and the COVID-19 virus is further exacerbating the situation. In addition, there are still more than 13,000 nuclear weapons in existence on earth.

To mark 75 years since the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture is launching the “Hiroshima Initiative” as a new proposal to strengthen efforts toward the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons, and has established the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe) to promote this initiative.

75 years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the Hiroshima Initiative was developed as a new proposal to strengthen initiatives toward the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. The outline of the plan was announced in March 2021.
The Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe) was established on April 1, 2021 as the promotion organization for the Hiroshima Initiative.

③ Affiliated organizations

President: Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture; Affiliated organizations: 20

 

Hiroshima Prefecture Association of City Mayors, Hiroshima Prefecture Association of Towns and Villages, Chugoku Economic Federation, Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hiroshima Keizai Doyukai (Hiroshima Association of Corporate Executives), Hiroshima Employer’s Association, Junior Chamber International Japan Chugoku District Hiroshima Bloc Council, Hiroshima Local of Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Hiroshima University, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima City University, Hiroshima University of Economics, Hiroshima Shudo University, Hiroshima Jogakuin University, JICA Chugoku Center, Hiroshima International Center, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office, Hiroshima NPO  Center, NGO Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture (in no particular order)

④ Date established

April 1, 2021

Overview of activities

HOPe promotes a wide range of initiatives for the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

1 Promoting the Hiroshima Initiative

①Creation of new policies for the abolishment of nuclear weapons and formation of a multilateral framework

Policymaking activities

In cooperation with global peace research institutions, HOPe is promoting new security policies as a substitute for nuclear deterrence.

Cooperation Agreement Partners：

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

Developing a multilateral framework

In collaboration with the United Nations and other entities, HOPE is making efforts to develop a multilateral framework based on new security policies.

②Increasing peace initiative supporters and reaching out to the world

Outreach activities to the international community

HOPe is working on expanding its network to include a wide range of groups to strengthen outreach to the UN and governments. (e.g., advocating at national and international conferences such as TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons) Conference of the Parties)

 

 

 

③ Reconstruction and peacebuilding utilizing Hiroshima’s experience and resources

Activities for strengthening human resource development

HOPe develops human resources who can be active globally and contribute to peace, toward the goal of achieving nuclear abolition and international peace.

④ Building sustainable mechanisms to promote peacebuilding

Platform creation

As well as creating a platform to encourage the participation of a range of entities, HOPe is establishing systems to carry out tasks such as gathering peace resources.

２ Support of United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office activities

Outline of the Hiroshima Initiative

Hiroshima Initiative
Global Call to Action to End Nuclear Weapons

Global Call to Action to End Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons are an imminent threat to all humanity. The abolition of nuclear weapons is a challenge that must be resolved, to ensure a sustainable Earth and the survival of the human race. The recent exacerbation of tensions in international relations has contributed to an escalating nuclear threat, while advancements in science and technology have further increased uncertainty. With climate change and resulting natural disasters causing tremendous damage in every corner of the world, it is urgent that we take action together to ensure the continued existence of all humankind. Furthermore, the global spread of COVID-19 has necessitated the international community’s enhanced cooperation in order to ensure its common security. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that a catastrophe which many thought to be merely a hypothetical threat – “theoretically possible but not yet a reality“ can and did occur. This demonstrates how the only effective way to prevent a potential threat from coming to pass is by eliminating it before it becomes a reality. Therefore, as we pass the 75th year since the A-bombing, Hiroshima Prefecture is determined to call on all countries, international organizations and civil society to take global action to eliminate nuclear weapons.

① Achieving a U.N. consensus on the goal of ending nuclear weapons

Today, governments, international organizations and civil society (including the private sector) all over the world are strengthening cooperation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nuclear weapons are a threat to every endeavor to achieve the SDGs. The use of nuclear weapons would destroy the foundations of the global environment, society and economy, causing irrevocable effects across the world. All the resources committed to the development, possession and modernization of nuclear arms should instead be used to accomplish the SDGs. The international community needs to carry out more in-depth discussions on the relationship between the SDGs and arms control, while steadily proceeding with the “Agenda for Disarmament” announced by the UN Secretary-General. The UN member states should build a consensus on including the abolition of nuclear weapons in the goals set for the UN’s 100th anniversary. To this end, an international agreement on the abolition of nuclear weapons must be reached among the UN member states by 2030 at the latest. More active calls for cooperation and collaboration in international processes are necessary, so that an international consensus on nuclear weapons abolition can be formed as soon as possible—ideally during the lifetime of atomic bomb survivors, hibakusha.

② Strengthening global norms to reject nuclear weapons

Hibakusha have been raising their voices in support of nuclear abolition, hoping that it will be achieved within their lifetimes. Their calls bore fruit, in the form of adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017, which went into effect in 2021. We in Hiroshima Prefecture will call on all the states around the world, including the Japanese government, to sign and ratify this treaty. At the same time, we will enhance our efforts to nurture the younger generation, who plays a vital role in conveying to the world the message that nuclear weapons are inhumane. We believe that these efforts will serve as an impetus for a consensus on the unjustifiability of nuclear weapons, reinforcing global norms to reject nuclear weapons, and moving governments to act.

③ Promoting nuclear disarmament and seeking a security system that does not depend on nuclear weapons

Many bilateral or multilateral treaties concerning nuclear disarmament now stand at a critical juncture. The international community should work together to facilitate negotiations on nuclear disarmament and arms control, while maintaining existing nuclear arms control agreements and ensuring the full implementation of those agreements. To realize a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons, it is necessary to create a new security system to support it. Many experts and research institutes have already suggested security policies without nuclear weapons that serve as alternatives to nuclear deterrence and have proposed concrete measures for nuclear disarmament. Hiroshima Prefecture will support these research activities and increase public awareness of such efforts.

④ Creating a platform for collaboration

Hiroshima Prefecture will promote partnerships between governments, international organizations and civil society (including the private sector, NGOs, educational organizations, faith-based organizations, and the media) which respond to its call to action and will create a platform that enables them to work in collaboration. We will also provide various opportunities to promote effective collaboration in different initiatives. Internationally, we will provide venues for dialogue among governments, international organizations and NGOs, and domestically, we will strengthen systems to encourage government and civil society to share their wisdom, abilities and resources. At the same time, we will enhance opportunities for people across the globe to voluntarily educate themselves on the importance of nuclear weapons abolition, and to communicate this to the world. In addition, it is essential that we magnify the voices of hibakusha, place younger generations as the driving force of the movement, and promote female leadership in these initiatives.

    Hiroshima Initiative – Global Call to Action to End Nuclear Weapons –

■History of the launch of the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace

May 14, 2001	The Hiroshima International Peace Building Network is established with the aim of building a network with international organizations, etc.
May 28, 2003	The Hiroshima International Peace Building Network is reorganized into the Hiroshima Peace Contribution Network to support the activities of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office
July 15, 2003	The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office opens
November 2005 ~ March 2020	Provided support for reconstruction in the fields of education and health in Cambodia through a JICA Partnership Program to support sustainable peacebuilding
November 4, 2011	The Hiroshima for Global Peace Plan is announced
April 1, 2020	The Hiroshima Peace Contribution Network is reorganized as the Hiroshima Peace Promotion Network
April 2020 ~ March 2021	Expansion of operations through the implementation of projects marking 75 years since the atomic bombings and the end of the war
March 17, 2021	The “Hiroshima Initiative” outline is announced
April 1, 2021	The Hiroshima Peace Promotion Network is reorganized and the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe) is launched