HIROSHIMA APPEAL
We, representatives from 92 cities and local authorities and 4 organizations from 20 countries,
met at the 6th General Conference of Mayors for Peace Commemorating the 60 th Anniversary of
the Atomic Bombings held in Hiroshima City and discussed in great detail the keynote theme:
Toward the total abolition of nuclear weapons by 2020: roles and initiatives for cities.
Following after the May 2005 NPT Review Conference which failed to achieve concrete results,
we actively discussed other strategies through which to pursue the complete abolition of nuclearweapons.
At the 5th General Conference, held four years ago, we confirmed our commitment to strive tomake the 21st century a ‘Century of Humanity,’ in which all life is respected. Unfortunately,
major political developments, including continued terrorist attacks, have changed the global
situation dramatically, and the world continues to walk the path of retaliation and war.
The human family now faces the risk of nuclear proliferation and a third use of nuclear weapons
due to doctrines of the U.S., Russia, U.K., France, China, India, and Pakistan, North Korea’s
declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons, the possibility that other States may be developing
nuclear weapons, and the possibility that terrorists might obtain and use nuclear weapons.
Threats to civilians are not limited to nuclear weapons. In this world, an incredibly large numberof people are exposed in their daily lives to such threats as hunger, poverty, infectious diseases,discrimination, violence, conflicts and environmental destruction.
Though national leaders worldwide are well aware of these challenges, their attention is focusedon pursuing national and economic interests rather than on implementing effective measures todeal with these challenges. It is always citizens who are the victims of wars, violence andenvironmental destruction. We mayors are responsible for the protection of the human rights andsecurity of our citizens. To deal with these challenges, the Mayors for Peace have confirmed once
again our resolve to cooperate in strengthening our solidarity and make the 21st century a‘Century of Humanity’. We reaffirm Vision 2020, the emergency campaign for the elimination ofnuclear weapons.
We, the participants in this General Conference of Mayors for Peace:
1.

Call upon all governments to immediately start negotiations toward the conclusion of aninternational treaty banning nuclear weapons leading to total abolition of nuclear weapons by2020.

2.

Demand that countries possessing nuclear weapons promptly cease their operational
deployment.

3.

Invite government leaders, in particular those of countries possessing nuclear weapons, tovisit the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and see with their own eyes what nuclear weapons
have in store for humankind.

4.

Demand that governments actively deal with the entire range of global challenges, including
hunger, poverty, discrimination, violence and environmental destruction.

5.

Demand that governments throughout the world promote efforts by the whole ofinternational society to deal with environmental problems including full implementation of
the Kyoto Protocol.

6.

Demand reductions in military expenditures and the use of funds generated by those
reductions to address problems in such areas as peace, hunger, refugees, and the environment,
while actively promoting the conversion of industrial capacity from military to civilian use.

To advance total abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace commencing with this“Year of Inheritance, Awakening, and Commitment,” we will cooperate and strengthen solidarity
across nation, ethnicity, ideology, belief and religion, giving particular emphasis to the following:I.

In collaboration with all governments and with NGOs, promote activities that lead to aninternational treaty banning nuclear weapons by the time of the NPT Review Conference due
to be held in 2010, leading to the total abolition of nuclear weapons by 2020.

II. Create a network of Mayors for Peace member cities in each country and engage actively invarious initiatives for the total abolition of nuclear weapons.
III. Launch a great diversity of campaigns for nuclear weapons abolition in numerous cities
throughout the world working with nations, NGOs and the vast majority of the world’speople.
IV. Urge the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security of the United Nations
General Assembly to establish a special committee to deliberate and plan for theachievement and maintenance of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
V. Propose that schools, colleges and universities across the world organize ‘Hiroshima andNagasaki Courses’ to communicate the message of the hibakusha to people across the world
as a common legacy for humankind.
VI. Promote peace education at all levels to develop a culture of peace.
We resolve the above and vow to work in close cooperation with the public to achieve the total
abolition of nuclear weapons by 2020.
August 6, 2005
The 6th General Conference of Mayors for Peace
Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings