International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons (NPT PrepCom Side Event)

Ambassador Harold Agyeman
Ghana’s Representative to the United Nations
Chair of the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee
for the 2026 NPT Review Conference
United Nations, New York
April 28 2025

PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT OF JAPAN’S INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF EMINENT PERSONS FOR A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Salutation
Your Excellency, IWAYA Takeshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan,
Esteemed Members of the International Group of Eminent Persons,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Recognitions
I am honoured to have been invited by the government of Japan to join this afternoon’s side event for the presentation of the report of the international group of eminent persons for a world free of nuclear weapons.

I thank the government of Japan for establishing this Panel in December 2022 and for supporting this important process. I also commend Japan for its steadfast and longstanding commitment towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

I equally congratulate the 15 members of the Panel for their important work carried out over six meetings and for their timely and useful recommendations issued in March.

Advocacy
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings this year, our collective and rallying cry should be “never again”. Never again should these monstrous weapons be used. Never again should humanity consider arrangements where these weapons have continuing relevance. Never again should the dark shadow of nuclear weapons cast their foreboding influence over humanity.

I was myself in Japan last November at the invitation of the government of Japan and observed in my interaction with state officials and different segments of the society the long-lasting impact the atomic bombs used in Hiroshima (6th August) and Nagasaki (9th August) has had on the nation. I was deeply moved by the accounts of living witnesses which resonated with my childhood memories, reading about the incident and watching television footage in my home country of Ghana of its effects.

Indeed, presently, many around the world are also concerned by the growing risks of nuclear weapons and the lack of progress on nuclear disarmament. The growing geopolitical tensions are not helping matters and leadership is required at this time. We must marshal the forces of our will for the advancement of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology for the benefit of humanity and not the detriment of our existence.

We have an opportunity as we prepare for the 11th Review Conference to reassure ourselves as States parties, but also the peoples of the world, that we are committed to our goals and can demonstrate the needed political will to make meaningful progress next year.

The recommendations made should therefore be positively considered on account of the contribution it can make towards our ultimate goal for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Conclusion
I conclude by congratulating the Panel for their work over the past two years and look forward to further considerations of how we can advance their recommendations.

I once again commend Japan for its leadership on this matter.

I thank you.