• English
  • العربية
  • 中文
  • Français
  • Русский
  • Español

You are here

Atoms Should Be for Peace

During the ceremony, 100 white peace doves were released and participants were invited to ring a "Peace Bell" located in the VIC´s Memorial Plaza. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

A call to bring about an end to all nuclear weapons was renewed today during a ceremony held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to remember the destruction of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

The IAEA's contribution to achieving the goals of non-proliferation while promoting peaceful applications of nuclear technology was also acknowledged. The IAEA's Tariq Rauf, Head of Verification & Security Policy Coordination, spoke of the Agency's role in ensuring that former US President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" vision outlined in his 1953 speech to the United Nations is followed through.

"Through its safeguards and verification system in support of the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other similar non-proliferation agreements, the IAEA has done a great deal of work to help stem the tide of nuclear proliferation, while ensuring that the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are made available to all those who want them," he said.

Staff from the Vienna-based international organizations attended the commemorative act known in Japanese as "Genbaku No Hi" (Atomic Bomb Memorial Day) to remember the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to advocate non-proliferation and disarmament.

During the ceremony, 100 white peace doves were released and participants were invited to ring a "Peace Bell" located in the VIC's Memorial Plaza.

The event was organised as part of a campaign leading to the celebration of International Day of Peace on 21 September 2009.

Background

The atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place on 6 August and 9 August 1945, respectively.

These are to date the only attacks with nuclear weapons in the history of warfare.

Last update: 27 Jul 2017

Stay in touch

Newsletter