Message to the 2008 World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs

I am pleased and honoured to express Norway’s support for the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs. The annual conference is an important reminder of the tragedies that took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Japanese Government is playing a major role in the efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament, and civil society in both Japan and worldwide is a crucial player.

A world free of nuclear weapons has been a longstanding aspiration of Norway’s foreign policy, even during the Cold War. Indeed, it has been a core foreign policy priority for many nations for decades.

I hope and I believe that we are now at a turning point. One of the good signs is that a growing number of US leaders, led by George P. Shultz, William J. Perry, Henry A. Kissinger and Sam Nunn, are calling on Washington to recommit itself to leading the world towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. 

The Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) was negotiated 40 years ago. With its three pillars, it has served us well. It has proved itself to be a historic compromise. In Norway’s view, it is of crucial importance that world leaders reconfirm that the NPT remains a cornerstone in international security. We hope very much for a successful result and for a renewed vision at the upcoming 2010 NPT Review Conference.

In February this year, I had the honour to host an international conference on nuclear disarmament in Oslo. One of the main conclusions of the conference was that national leaders in all states should engage personally in realising the vision of a world free from nuclear weapons, and they should seek to involve key stakeholders and the general public in particular.

I am convinced that the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs has, ever since its start in 1955, contributed greatly to raising awareness among politicians and the public. On this note I would like to wish you a successful and rewarding conference.