Monday, 05 May 2025, the UN Headquarters; at the ceremonial of tree planting featured the Hibakujumoku – to honor victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago. Speaking on behalf of the United Nations office for disarmament affairs who co-organize the planting ceremony with the United Nations Staff Recreation council gardening club, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu described the importance of planting a tree stemming from a seed that survived the bombing. Despite the heat and radiation, the Hibakujumoku, or survivor trees, sprouted new life from their trunks, roots or stumps. They have become powerful symbols of resilience, peace and the during force of nature amid destruction.
In that event, Ms Nakamitsu was accompanied by:
- Kazuyuki Yamazaki- Permanent Representative said, “I hope, as these saplings grow, so too will our aspirations for peace spread and become a reality,” he said. Referring to last week’s NPT Preparatory Committee session, he added, “Japanese Foreign Minister – Iwaya Takeshi spoke at the general debate and called on State Parties to, quote, ‘cherish and exercise the spirit of dialogue and collaboration,’ unquote. I sincerely hope that Hibakujumoku, atomic bomb survivor trees, planted here will stand as a symbol of this spirit.”
- Harold Agyeman – Ghana’s Ambassador to the UN, urged stronger international efforts to address global insecurity, inequality, and the threat of nuclear war. “Today, more than ever… many around the world are worried about the persistence and scale of conflicts, including the deepening poverty and underdevelopment and the deterioration of the wellbeing and dignity of many,” he said. “The disarmament agenda and the need to prevent the catastrophic effects of the nuclear war cannot be left out of such an effort.”
- Philemon Yang – The President of the 79th UN General Assembly.
- Members of the UN Staff Recreation Council Gardening Club.
- UN Youth Champion for Disarmament.
Related link:
Hibakujumoku Tree Planting Ceremony | United Nations
UN Tree Planting Ceremony: 80th Anniversary of founding of the United Nations
