80 Years After Hiroshima: The Nuclear Threat and Seeds of Hope

Eighty years ago, on August 6, 1945, the world witnessed an event that would mark a turning point in history: the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This devastating attack not only obliterated the city but also claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people, leaving a legacy of terror and a feared precedent regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

At an emotional memorial ceremony held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, recalled the memory of this tragedy. This monument, the only structure that survived the explosion, symbolizes the resilience of a city that has managed to rise from its ashes. In the presence of survivors, families, and representatives from 120 countries, Nakamitsu paid tribute to the hibakusha, or survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “Their voices have become a moral force for peace,” she stated, emphasizing that their message endures even as their numbers dwindle over time.

The memorial event was more than just a remembrance; it was a strong call to action. Nakamitsu underscored the gravity of having crossed an irreversible threshold when dropping the bomb, reminding everyone of the devastation that nuclear weapons can inflict and the urgency of preventing tragedies of this magnitude from occurring again. Hiroshima has not only demonstrated its capacity for reconstruction, but it has also embraced an optimistic vision for a future without nuclear weapons, sharing this hope with the rest of the world.

This anniversary also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As part of the commemoration, saplings from a persimmon tree that survived the bombing were planted at the organization’s headquarters in New York, symbolizing unwavering resilience and a commitment to a more peaceful future.

However, the nuclear threat remains present. Nakamitsu warned of the increasing use of nuclear weapons as tools of coercion, a phenomenon observable in current conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. The mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, echoed this concern, pointing to the alarming acceptance of such weapons in international relations.

Despite the seriousness of the context, the ceremony also highlighted moments of hope, such as the recognition of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese anti-nuclear group Nihon Hidankyo, which represents the survivors. This award comes after the adoption of the Pact for the Future by several countries at the UN, reaffirming their commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.

Nakamitsu emphasized the importance of translating international commitments into concrete actions, urging the strengthening of the global disarmament regime, particularly through the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. “Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future,” she concluded, highlighting the need to learn from Hiroshima’s resilience and work towards the eradication of these destructive weapons.