The 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Abolition 2000 Global Network to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons took place on June 19, 2021. This was the second year the AGM was held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic which continues to devastate countries and populations showing the complete uselessness of nuclear weapons in dealing with global security threats.
Session 1 included updates and reports from working groups and affiliated networks, including United for Peace & Justice, a strategy discussion, and introduction of proposals. Session 2 included discussion of proposals and Abolition 2000 administrative and governance matters. Session 1 was held twice to accommodate participants from the Asia/Pacific region, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. More than 200 people from some 45 countries registered.
To make the most efficient use of limited time during the meeting, short presentations by eight leading figures from different fields, addressing the question: “How do we move from a dysfunctional world to a world free of nuclear weapons?” were pre-recorded. Presenters included Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Participants in the AGM were encouraged to watch these videos before the meeting to prepare themselves for an interactive strategy discussions. Based on those discussions and proposals submitted in advance, the AGM expressed support for:
- Gensuikyo’s 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs and the “Peace Wave 2021” from August 2 to 9, 2021.
- A new petition campaign requesting the Japanese government and TEPCO to cancel their decision to release the radioactive wastewater into the ocean.
- A written statement to the 48th session of the Human Rights Council this September, on behalf of the victims/survivors of Fukushima and Chernobyl, on the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima and the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl accidents.
- Collaboration with a new “Nuclear-Free Future Group” that will serve as a platform for civil society to join the United Nations post-SDGs negotiation process.
- Establishment of a Team to Advance Nuclear Games (TANG), to distribute “Nuclear Games,” a new innovative educational platform about the risks and human impacts of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy.
- Revival of the Abolition 2000 Nuclear Weapons Convention working group.
Click here for background on Abolition 2000, reports from working groups and affiliated networks, video clips and more.
