UNITAR
24 January 2024, Hiroshima, Japan – UNITAR Division for Prosperity, together with UNITAR Association, will hold the public forum “UNITAR Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Peace” on 10 February 2024 (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. JST) at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Memorial Hall. The event seeks to foster the public’s understanding of current geopolitical disputes and nuclear disarmament and encourage participants to consider how to build sustainable peace.
Panellists will include Ms. Elyne Whyte, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva, Mr. Tariq Rauf, Former Head of Verification and Security Policy, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace.
The free forum is open to the public (advance registration is needed by 9 February, 12 noon). There will be English and Japanese simultaneous interpretation.
Participants will hear unique perspectives on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and ongoing armed conflicts, particularly focusing on Ukraine and the Middle East.
This public forum will be conducted with the support of the Hiroshima Prefectural Government, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Mayors for Peace, and The Chugoku Shimbun.
2024 Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (NDNP) Training Programme in Hiroshima
The public forum is part of the UNITAR Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (NDNP) Training Programme, which is being held in Hiroshima from 5 to 10 February 2024. Now in its ninth year, the NDNP programme gives diplomats insights into the protocols and procedures of disarmament and non-proliferation conferences – such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference and meetings on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – and builds their communication and negotiation skills.
For this ninth anniversary of the programme, approximately *18 diplomats and government officials nominated by their governments will join, representing 13 countries. It will be the first time the Republic of Kiribati will be joining this programme. The officials will discuss the following topics:
- Outline NPT 2023 Preparatory Committee: Assessment and next cycle review
- UN disarmament and non-proliferation bodies
- Humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons
- Gender and nuclear disarmament
- New technologies and their impact on nuclear disarmament
UNITAR will conduct a virtual reality tour for the participants of the programme at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for immediate immersion in the rich history of Hiroshima. The guided tour using the virtual reality goggles is set in various locations around the park. It provides a 360-degree simulated experience of Hiroshima City before, during and after the atomic bombing of the city. The storyline conveys Hiroshima’s perpetual message of peace and allows engagement among participants for further interpretation.
Participants are also scheduled to meet hibakusha (atomic bombing survivors) and young activists to learn about their initiatives for a nuclear-free world.
*Details such as the number of participants and participating countries may change
Public Session
Date and time: Saturday, 10 February 2024, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. JST (Doors open at 9:30 am JST)
Venue: Memorial Hall, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima (This event will be held in person only; no online participation.)
Language: English and Japanese simultaneous interpretation
Moderator:
Ms. Chisa Mikami, Head of Hiroshima Office, UNITAR
Panellists:
Ms. Elyne Whyte, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva
Mr. Tariq Rauf, Former Head of Verification and Security Policy at, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Secretary General of Mayors for Peace
Guests:
Mr. Tim Caughley, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow for the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
Mr. Yuriy Kryvonos, a Former Director of, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)
About UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations. In 2022, UNITAR trained over 395,000 learners around the world to support their actions for a better future. In addition to our headquarters in Geneva, we have offices in Hiroshima, New York and Bonn and networks around the world.
The Division for Prosperity is based in the Hiroshima Office and Geneva. We seek to shape an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world through world-class learning and knowledge-sharing services on entrepreneurship, leadership, finance and trade, digital technologies, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We empower individuals from least-developed countries, countries emerging from conflict, and small-island developing states – especially women and young people – to bring about positive change.
About UNITAR Association
UNITAR Association is the national committee of UNITAR in Japan since 2019. It contributes to the SDGs through local advocacy and networking. UNITAR Association and UNITAR Hiroshima Office work together to conduct outreach, build partnerships with entities in Japan and host public events to raise awareness and interest among the Japanese public in international cooperation and peace. To date, UNITAR Association has 41 individual and 35 organization members, including residents of Hiroshima and organizations from the private and public sectors.