Guterres, a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament, described his emotional connection to Hiroshima, the city that experienced the first atomic bombing in history. He stated that being in Hiroshima resonates deeply with his personal beliefs.

Guterres was in Hiroshima as part of the three-day Group of Seven (G-7) summit, where Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons. The G-7 consists of countries with nuclear capabilities like the United States, Britain, and France, as well as Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan, which are protected under nuclear umbrellas.

While recognizing the differences between G-7 nations and China on various issues, Guterres called for active dialogue and cooperation, particularly regarding climate change and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of avoiding a divided world and instead fostering bridges for meaningful negotiations.

Guterres previously attended the 2022 commemoration ceremony for the atomic bombing, where he urged nuclear states to adopt a "no first use" policy, committing not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked first. He commended the resilience, courage, and voices of atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, stating that his previous visits to Hiroshima deeply moved him.

Overall, Guterres' visit to Hiroshima and his participation in the G-7 summit provided an opportunity to address nuclear disarmament and promote international cooperation on pressing global issues. (ILKHA)