Arrow
ALL NEWS

Save lives, stop nukes: Building back better to a nuclear-weapons-free world

News
27
Sep 2021
MINS READ

“Nuclear weapons have no place in a world that we aim to build back better.” This is the key message of Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the ITUC-Asia Pacific, in his statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September 2021.

Shoya Yoshida raised the alarm on the intensifying efforts of some countries, such as the United States, China, Iran, and North Korea, to fortify their military power with nuclear weapons while the world is in a global pandemic.

“At a time when the world is reeling from the impacts of the pandemic, investments in the development of nuclear weapons could have been redirected to strengthening healthcare and social protection systems, creating jobs, and producing vaccines,” he said.

Shoya Yoshida also highlighted the need to “know, speak, and appeal”. He urged, “We should be aware of the threat and devastation that nuclear weapons pose to humankind. We should speak out against these weapons, discuss their inhumanity with families and friends in the workplace and in the community, and appeal for the prohibition of nuclear weapons.”

He also encouraged everyone, especially the ITUC-AP affiliates, to become peace-bearers and build solidarity for peace and disarmament. “Any use of nuclear weapons is abhorrent to the principles of humanity and dictates of public conscience. This is why we reiterate our call on the international community to immediately sign and ratify the TPNW. Governments that have not signed or ratified the TPNW must immediately address this omission,” Shoya Yoshida highlighted.

September 26th is declared by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, devoted to enhancing public awareness and education regarding the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination.

Related News
Arrow
Arrow