“The flawed theory of nuclear deterrence, which is now in a state of collapse, must be abandoned. We must now start taking tangible action for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.” These are the words that Matsui Kazumi, President of Mayors for Peace and Mayor of Hiroshima, pronounced during the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, which took place in Vienna, Austria, from 31 July to 11 August 2023.

On August 1, as a side event of the NPTPrepCom, Mayors for Peace held the Youth Forum, in which eight youth groups from across the world presented the activities they are carrying out related to peace and nuclear disarmament. The students discussed how to build a network in order to work together towards their mutual goal and their advocacy in the fields of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and sustainable development. During the event, the UN Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Nakamitsu, who also participated in the event, encouraged young people to continue with their activities without being afraid and to make their voices heard in the world.

Executive cities of the European Chapter of Mayors for Peace, such as the cities of Ieper, Evora and the Chair of the Chapter, the city of Granollers, met with the President, Vice President, and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace in order to present the activities carried out by the different delegations, related to peace and disarmament.

Mr. Matsui appreciated the efforts made by the different cities that compose the European Chapter and stated the importance of working with civil society, especially youth, in order to obtain results.