New York, April 29 (NationPress) The Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi urged global leaders to engage in a "dialogue" and "cooperation" on nuclear disarmament as preparations intensify for a significant United Nations conference scheduled for 2026.

This call to action was made during his statement on Monday (local time) at the General Debate of the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), taking place in New York.

"The demand that the horrors of nuclear weapons must never be repeated and the vision of achieving a 'world without nuclear weapons' is now more urgent than ever," Iwaya emphasized.

As reported by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Iwaya highlighted the recommendations from the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons, which Japan initiated in 2022, as a prime example of how genuine dialogue and constructive discussions can foster wisdom in our increasingly divided world.

He appealed to every nation to take their share of responsibility in finding common ground, to uphold and enhance the NPT framework, which is the only global mechanism for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and to advance towards realizing a nuclear-free world, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

Recently, the government faced backlash from atomic bomb survivors for its absence as an observer at a convention of signatories to a UN nuclear weapons ban treaty held in New York.

Iwaya's attendance at this conference reflects the efforts of the Japanese government to promote nuclear disarmament, as reported by Japanese media outlet, Kyodo News.

The report indicates that Japan's government has longed for a world devoid of nuclear weapons, being the only nation to have endured nuclear attacks during wartime.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry also noted that in his address, Iwaya spoke about Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's foremost organization of atomic bomb survivors, which is also a recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"The Hibakusha have tirelessly worked to raise awareness about the catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons, despite their profound emotional and psychological scars," stated the foreign minister during his address.

The foreign ministry further added that Iwaya highlighted the challenges facing the NPT framework due to North Korea's nuclear and missile development activities and the rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities in a non-transparent manner, which undermines the progress of nuclear disarmament and poses risks to nuclear non-proliferation.

"We must protect and nurture an international order grounded in the rule of law. Now is the time to work towards bridging the divides in the international community, restoring, and reinforcing the functionalities of cooperative frameworks rooted in multilateralism," concluded the foreign minister.