Dear Friend,

Over the course of the last few weeks we’ve seen thousands of events commemorating the start of the nuclear weapons era. Across the globe from Pretoria to Winnipeg, Berlin to Melbourne an untold number of people have learned about the horrific impact of nuclear weapons in New Mexico, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and elsewhere across the world where these inhumane weapons have been exploded in so-called tests. Stories shared by survivors have illustrated the reality of these bombs and the horror they bring under the iconic mushroom clouds. Learning the truth about nuclear weapons is the first step, but it’s not the last.

The moving commemorations in Nagasaki a few days ago were a stirring reminder that we must move now to commitments, to make sure that this beautiful port city is the last to ever suffer a nuclear attack.

Koreans were also harmed by the U.S. nuclear attacks on Japan 80 years ago. Meeting with Korean a-bomb survivors organisations, we issued a joint statement supporting Korean communities impacted by nuclear weapons and calling on governments in the region (and beyond) to move beyond commemoration to commitment to remove the nuclear threat forever.

It is not enough to remember what has happened before - now we must hold governments accountable to make sure it never happens again. Our next stop? High level meetings at the United Nations.

As world leaders gather in New York next month, we are demanding they remember the atomic bombings, and commit to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a way to make sure Nagasaki is the last city attacked with a nuclear weapon. We want these governments to hear from everyone, and so we’re asking you to lend your name in support of our effort to move from commemoration to commitment.

We are calling on every government to speak up about nuclear weapons in their statements at High Level Week. To include in their statements a recognition of the harm caused by nuclear weapons, and to urgently state what they are doing to make sure it never happens again.

For most governments, the answer is that they have committed to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. But, some are still holding out, and we need your help to get others to join in our demand to reject nuclear weapons and commit to the only treaty prohibiting their use.

The problem of nuclear weapons is one that can be solved, but to do so, we need everyone to demand action today. 

Thank you for your support, 

Melissa Parke,
Executive Director
ICAN