Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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August 9, 2026 Peace and Security
Eighty-one years after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the risk of miscalculations and conflict escalation continues to grow, and the long-term trend of nuclear arsenal reductions has reversed, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a message on the anniversary of the tragedy.
The Secretary-General’s message at the commemorative ceremony on August 9 was read by the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu.
“Eighty-one years ago, the tragedy of Nagasaki showed the destructive power humanity possesses,” the message says.
The UN Chief honored the memory of the victims and also paid tribute to several generations of residents who rebuilt the city, “turning tragedy into triumph.” He especially highlighted the hibakusha – people who survived the atomic bombings.
The risk continues to grow
The Secretary-General warned that the world is experiencing a period of deep geopolitical tension. Trust is weakening, the norms that helped prevent a nuclear catastrophe are being eroded, and the long-standing trend of reducing nuclear arsenals is reversing.
Meanwhile, global military spending in 2025 rose to $2.9 trillion, and “nuclear saber-rattling” is once again becoming part of international rhetoric.
“Year after year, the risk of miscalculation, escalation, and conflict continues to grow. This is unacceptable. Humanity must not live under a constant threat,” stated the Secretary-General.
At the same time, he noted, history shows that even during periods of acute rivalry, cooperation can prevail, and progress remains possible. However, this requires political will, as well as an understanding of the interdependence of state security and the fact that nuclear weapons only increase uncertainty.
“Nagasaki is both a warning and a guidepost”
According to Guterres, the path to a peaceful future lies through building trust and investing in the “tools of peace” – dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation – rather than in weapons of war.
All states, especially those possessing nuclear weapons, must take measures to reduce risks and advance towards complete disarmament, he stressed. The Secretary-General also called for a reaffirmation of commitment to the global disarmament regime, which has helped prevent a nuclear catastrophe for decades.
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“Together we can ensure that the future is defined not by rivalry and risk, but by cooperation and stability,” he said.
“Today Nagasaki serves both as a warning and a guide. It calls on us not only to remember but also to act. It urges us to rebuild trust, strengthen cooperation, and choose diplomacy over division,” the message says.
The Secretary-General called to honor the courage of the hibakusha not only with words but also with actions, and affirmed that the UN will always support efforts to build a world where peace and security are based not on fear, but on a common purpose.
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