On April 1, the public event of the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World Without Nuclear Weapons (IGEP), the symposium "Towards the 2026 NPT Review Conference," was held at the United Nations University in Shibuya, Tokyo.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. MIIYAJI Takuma, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening remarks, stating that we must not allow our steps of nuclear disarmament towards a world without nuclear weapons to regress, and that IGEP had been held as part of a realistic and practical approach through a framework of dialogue and cooperation that includes both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. He also expressed the circle of civil society working towards a world without nuclear weapons will further expand through the discussions at this symposium. Then, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, former Prime Minister of Japan, delivered a speech, expressing his hope that this event would deepen understanding of various initiatives aimed at achieving a world without nuclear weapons. Remarks were also delivered by Dr. SHIRAISHI Takashi, Special Professor Emeritus of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto and Chair of the IGEP, and Honourable Federica Mogherini, the Rector of College of Europe (former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission).
In the following panel discussion, panelists, who were distinguished experts and civil society representatives including Dr. Shiraishi, the Chair of the IGEP, Dr. TOMONAGA Masao, Emeritus Director of Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb (Genbaku) Hospital, and Mr. ASANO Hideo, Secretariat at Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, had frank discussions on the outcomes of the sixth IGEP meeting and key issues to be addressed in preparation for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
A High level of interest on nuclear disarmament efforts in the current security environment was shown by participants. The event was attended by more than 100 people, including students, and during the Q&A session following the panel discussion, numerous questions were raised.
(Reference)
Opening Remarks by State Minister for Foreign Affairs MIYAJI Takuma (PDF)