3MSP Event: Art Reception ‘From the Pacific to the Steppes: Solidarity, Reconciliation, and Nuclear Justice”‘

On March 4, 2025, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) and Reverse the Trend (RTT) hosted a special art reception entitled From the Pacific to the Steppes: Solidarity, Reconciliation, and Nuclear Justice at the Church Center in New York. This impactful event brought together speakers and advocates from various regions affected by nuclear testing to share their personal stories and efforts toward nuclear justice. Speakers included: Christian N. Ciobanu, the Policy and Advocacy Director of NAPF and RTT Project Coordinator; H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin, Chair of the 3MSP and Deputy Minister of Kazakhstan; Karipbek Kuyukov, the honorary ambassador of the ATOM Project who also experienced the tragic impact of Soviet testing in Kazakhstan. Keita Takagaki, a youth representative of ICRC Japan; Setsuko Shimomoto, whose family was exposed to fallout; and Ereti Tekabwaia the Principal Officer of the Line and Phoneix Islands of Kiribati.

H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin of the 3MSP underscored the necessity for both affected communities and young people to collaborate with one another. Further, following his remarks, Karipbek Kuyukov of the ATOM Project, discussed how the tragic humanitarian and environmental impacts of Soviet nuclear testing caused him to become an outspoken advocate and artist. Moreover, Keita Takagaki, a youth representative of ICRC Japan, shared the testimonies of his great grandfathers who helped injured people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Additionally, Setsuko Shimomoto shared the deeply personal story of her father, who was exposed to radiation from US nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. As a result of being unknowingly exposed, Shimomoto’s family dedicated their lives to sharing the truth about the radiation exposure and supporting artists who expressed their views on the nuclear fallout. Finally, to end the event, Ereti Tekabwaia discussed the tragic impact of the 33 nuclear tests conducted in Kiritimati, her hometown, and the significance of utilizing the arts for young i-Kiribati youth to express themselves.

The reception provided a powerful space for dialogue and reflection, drawing attention to the urgent need for nuclear justice and how art intersects with nuclear disarmament.