On the solemn occasion of Hiroshima Commemoration Day and Nagasaki Commemoration Day I send you and the Hibakusha of both cities and elsewhere my good wishes for your efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons so that never again will this most destructive weapon so far invented by humankind, be used in the world.

 

As the first victim nation of nuclear weapons, with its lingering after-effects still causing pain and anguish, you are the conscience-keepers of the world to spur the nuclear weapon possessing countries to disarm honouring their treaty obligations and their humanitarian duty remembering our 'common humanity'. We stand with you in solidarity.

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Seventy-one years is a long time since the first uses of nuclear weapons but with nine nuclear weapon possessing nations and over 15000 nuclear warheads among them, the world remains imperilled and our combined efforts must be redoubled.

 

Jayantha Dhanapala

President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science & World Affair