On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japanese officials and global delegates gathered to urge renewed efforts toward eliminating nuclear weapons, UPI reports. Held at Peace Memorial Park, the annual remembrance ceremony drew around 55,000 attendees, including representatives from 120 countries and regions.

Hiroshima’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, delivered a pointed message to nuclear-armed states, asserting that despite geopolitical tensions, civil society must remain resolute in advocating for the complete elimination of nuclear arms in pursuit of genuine peace.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba echoed this sentiment, noting that growing divisions among global powers over disarmament strategies have further destabilised international security. He stressed the importance of recommitting to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, describing it as the foundation of international efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear arms and advance disarmament.

This year’s commemoration took place amid rising global tensions. Just days earlier, Russia declared an end to its voluntary ban on producing short- and medium-range nuclear missiles, shortly after the United States repositioned two nuclear submarines defensively. These developments underline the fragile state of nuclear diplomacy, particularly between the US and Russia, who collectively hold nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal.

While Russia was absent from the event, the US was represented by Ambassador George Glass, who shared a tribute online, honouring Hiroshima’s legacy and its enduring call for peace.