This year, on August 6 and August 9, the world will mark 75 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As survivors of the bombing, the hibakusha, decrease in number, listening to them grows ever more crucial. As a human family, we must not forget the tragedy of those two cities. Instead, we must ensure that future generations know the devastation wrought by nuclear weapons and are inspired to act to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.
Now is the time for civil society and world leaders to renew our resolve to ensure the deep humanitarian conviction of the hibakusha that “No one else shall ever again suffer as we have.”
Unfortunately, today vital nuclear arms control agreements are being abandoned, budgets for development and production of new nuclear weapons are growing, and the potential for nuclear weapons use is too dangerous to tolerate. We are badly off course in efforts to honor the plea of the hibakusha and end the nuclear threat.
The Arms Control Association is a beacon shining a light to steer us back on course toward a world without nuclear weapons. We rely on specialized organizations such as the Arms Control Association to help ensure that the gravest dangers of nuclear weapons are more widely understood and to provide authoritative information, analysis, and innovative solutions. In the years ahead, the Association’s efforts to engage, inform, and train new generations of leaders are vital to help address new nuclear dangers and mobilize support for bolder and rapid progress on nuclear disarmament.
We value the insight of the experts at the Arms Control Association and hope you will share our appreciation of their efforts.
 MATSUI Kazumi Mayor of Hiroshima President of Mayors for Peace |
 TAUE Tomihisa Mayor of Nagasaki Vice President of Mayors for Peace |
If you wish to echo the Mayors' support for the work of the Arms Control Association, please consider making a special donation today.