Japanese
Foreign Minister Iwaya speaking at the outset
Foreign Minister Iwaya speaking at the outset
Photo of the meeting
Photo of the meeting
On March 30, from 9:00 a.m. for about 25 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the opening session of the 6th meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons (IGEP).
At the outset, Foreign Minister Iwaya stated that there is absolutely no wavering in Japan's stance of making steady progress towards the ideal of a world without nuclear weapons and the Government of Japan intends to take seriously the recommendations compiled at the sixth meeting of the IGEP and continues to work on realistic and practical efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons.
The opening session was attended by Chair SHIRAISHI Takashi, Special Professor Emeritus of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, and other members of the IGEP, as well as a political leader, Honourable Federica Mogherini, the Rector of the College of Europe (former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission). In addition, video messages were delivered by other political leaders; H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, former President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. Dr. Hans Blix, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Ambassador Amina Mohamed, former Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.
At the sixth, and the final, meeting, the IGEP members will examine concrete measures to realize a world without nuclear weapons and conduct final discussions to compile recommendations for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, building upon accumulated discussions in previous meetings, in six sessions over two days, on March 30 and 31.
(Reference) Attachment
Address by Foreign Minister Iwaya at the Opening Session (PDF)