There are exactly 100 days left until the International Day of Peace on September 21.
The International Day of Peace was established within the United Nations framework to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and
people. It is a day of vital importance to reflect on the preciousness of peace. I would like to take this opportunity to once again extend my heartfelt respect to UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres for his strong leadership in promoting this day.
The theme for 2023 is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace.
This year, Mayors for Peace once again shows its support for this initiative and calls upon its 8,259 member cities in 166 countries and regions around the world to mark the International Day of Peace on September 21, along with August 6 and 9—dates to commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On these dates, let us share our earnest desire for peace among each one of our fellow citizens, and hold events for its realization.
The protracted Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to steal the lives and livelihoods of many innocent citizens. Given the circumstances, and as a global network made up of heads of local governments, whose role is to ensure citizens’ safety and security, we are determinedto further promote the culture of peace—a culture that renounces all forms of violence. Our forthcoming challenges are to cultivate the culture of peace to take root in civil society and thus create an environment which encourages policymakers to pursue foreign policies through dialogue.
Over the next 100 days until the International Day of Peace, starting from today, let us reunite as members of Mayors for Peace to further our cause. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the members of the public throughout the world, let us persistently stimulate citizens-led initiatives to promote the culture of peace, and take steady steps toward our goal of realizing the total elimination of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace.
June 13, 2023
MATSUI Kazumi
President of Mayors for Peace
Mayor of Hiroshima
