On Friday, September 20, 2024, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) and its youth initiative, Reverse the Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet (RTT), hosted a pivotal nuclear disarmament event at the 2024 Summit of the Future in New York. Co-sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati, GeNuine, PeaceBoatUS, Soka Gakkai International, Association Katawara, Youth4TPNW, and ICAN, this event brought together a diverse array of voices, including diplomats, experts, activists, and individuals from communities affected by nuclear testing.

Held in Conference Room 12 at the United Nations Headquarters, the panel featured distinguished speakers who provided insight into the ongoing challenges and opportunities within nuclear disarmament. H.E. Ambassador Kairat Umarov of Kazakhstan and H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kiribati delivered introductory remarks, underscoring the significance of the issue on a global scale, as well as their respective countries’ motivation and involvement, especially given their nuclear testing legacies.

Dr. Ivana Hughes and Christian Ciobanu from NAPF emphasized the critical link between nuclear weapons and the climate crisis, while Seth Shelden of ICAN discussed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and its role in advancing global disarmament. Yoshioka Tatsuya of Peace Boat highlighted the importance of education in the disarmament movement.

Youth empowerment was a central theme, with contributions from RTT representatives like Alei Rizvi, who discussed efforts to mobilize young people, and Maverick Peter Seda of RTT Pacific, who advocated for the Solomon Islands to ratify the TPNW. Additional perspectives were provided by Miyuki Horiguchi (Soka Gakkai International), Yuta Takashashi (Association Katawara), Yuki Tokuda (GeNuine), and Tinabora Ioane and Ereti Tekabaia from Kiritimati Island, who shared personal stories about the humanitarian impact of nuclear testing.

This event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts across generations and states to address the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and nuclear abolition.

Panelists of diplomats and experts.

Audience at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Conference Room 12.

H.E. Ambassador Kairat Umarov of Kazakhstan delivers his introductory remarks.

H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kitibati delivers his introductory remarks.

Dr. Ivana N. Hughes of NAPF highlights the nexus between nuclear weapons and the climate crisis.

Christian N. Ciobanu of NAPF and RTT provides his remarks.

Seth Shelden of ICAN discusses the significance of the TPNW.

Yoshioka Tatsuya of Peace Boat highlights the importance of the treaty and Peace Boat’s role in disarmament education.

Alei Rizvi of NAPF and RTT highlights our work on youth empowerment.

Miyuki Horiguchi of Soka Gakkai International and Youth for TPNW shares her perspectives on the nuclear issue.

Yuta Takashashi of Association Katawara shares his perspectives on a Japanese youth festival.

Yuki Tokuda of GeNuine shares her perspectives on the gender perspectives of nuclear weapons.

Maverick Peter Seda of RTT Pacific Chapter discusses why the Solomon Islands should sign and ratify the TPNW.

Tinabora Ioane of Kirimati Island discusses the humanitarian impact of the nuclear tests.

Ereti Tekabaia provides an overview of the Youth Forum in Kazakhstan.