Remembering Hiroshima: A call for a nuclear-free world

This week, as the world commemorates the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima, UNI Global Union honours the memory of the 140,000 lives lost in 1945 and reflects on the enduring impact of radiation and trauma.

UNI Global Union has called for renewed efforts to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world amid rising global instability.

“We mark this somber anniversary by remembering those who lost their lives and those who were permanently affected. We must ensure that weapons like these are never used again,” said Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific. “In a world facing growing turmoil and nuclear threats, especially with the wars in Myanmar, Ukraine and Gaza, the call for peace and an end to these weapons elsewhere in the world is more urgent than ever.”

UNI Global Union has long advocated for the elimination of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that their existence is incompatible with human rights. As a member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, the federation continues to champion global disarmament.

“A secure, democratic future in our region and across the globe requires peace, which is undermined by the existential threat of these weapons,” Acharya added. “This week is a time for remembrance, reflection, and solidarity with affected families.”

Since its 2010 congress in Nagasaki, UNI has strengthened its ties with the city and the international peace movement, underscoring the necessity of a future free from nuclear weapons.