UN Highlights Growing Nuclear Risks on Hiroshima 80th Anniversary

The 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 2025, is marked globally with solemn remembrance of the victims and reflections on the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the resilience of Hiroshima's survivors, the hibakusha, and their enduring message of peace, emphasizing the city's reconstruction as a symbol of hope and the global vision of a nuclear-free world. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and the expansion of nuclear arsenals, including that of the United States, there are hopeful signs, such as the planting of saplings from trees that survived the bombing at the UN Headquarters and the awarding of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization representing survivors. The anniversary also serves as a reminder of the founding purpose of the United Nations—to prevent war and uphold human dignity. Public commemorations, including moments of silence across Japan, reinforce the call for peace and the urgent need to prevent future nuclear conflict. The legacy of Hiroshima continues to challenge humanity to overcome fear and hatred, as well as to reinvent itself towards peace and survival.