The program was organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in coordination with the Ship of Peace and two organizations that were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nihon Hidankyo Federation and the International Campaign for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
In his welcoming speech, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung - Vice President of VUFO - emphasized: Maintaining peace is a common responsibility of all of humanity, requiring solidarity, listening and action from all countries. Vietnam has always actively contributed to the efforts to dismantle nuclear weapons, accompanying the Hibakusha ( survivors of the nuclear bomb disaster) towards a world without nuclear weapons.
Through people-to-people, cultural, dialogue activities and initiatives such as collecting signatures in response to the Hibakusha Call, VUFO has connected the community, inspired and spread the spirit of peace.
VUFO also closely coordinates with organizations in Japan such as Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Council against Atomic and Pyongyang (Gensuikyo), the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association... to overcome the consequences of war, raise awareness of the value of peace, and emphasize the importance of international solidarity in building a peaceful world.
At the event, the VUFO Youth Union presented an introduction to Vietnam, receiving enthusiastic response from international delegates.
Within the framework of the program, the meeting with the theme "Continuing the story of peace" took place with the participation of many actors such as Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga - former Chairman of VUFO, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam; Mr. Kawasaki Akira - ICAN president; Mr. Lee Jae Young - CEO of Northeast Asia Peace Research Center (Narpi).
The speakers shared diverse perspectives and practical lessons in peacekeeping activities, promoting international understanding and cooperation, and sending a message of solidarity to the global young generation.
One of the emotional highlights at the program was the speech of Ms. Kuramori Terumi - a survivor of the nuclear bombing disaster in Nagasaki, representative of the Nihon Hidankyo organization, the unit awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024.
She emotionally shared: Today, I came here to tell my own story - a witness who survived the Nagasaki disaster. I also listen to stories from victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam. We share the same desire to "contributing to building peace for humanity".
The event is not only an opportunity to look back on history, learn valuable lessons, but also a commitment to building a bridge of friendship between peoples, enhancing understanding and acting together for a world without nuclear weapons.
