The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference ended over the weekend without a consensus document, sparking deep disappointment among survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
On May 17, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, together with representatives of the victims, voiced their frustration. They argued that the failure to reach a common agreement represents a setback in global nuclear disarmament efforts, especially as the world faces rising geopolitical tensions.
The survivors, known as hibakusha, called on nuclear-armed states to demonstrate greater responsibility and advance progress toward a world free of nuclear weapons. They emphasized that this failure undermines the global commitment to non-proliferation.
The NPT conference took place against a backdrop of international tensions, with many nations clashing over provisions related to disarmament and arms control. This marks the third consecutive time the conference has ended without a consensus document, reflecting deep divisions among member states.