UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes that the world is once again faced with the threat of the real use of nuclear weapons, Report informs. He wrote the following in a message on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, which was read out during the memorial ceremony by UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu.
"Nuclear weapons, and the threat of their use, are not confined to history books. They have once again appeared in the daily rhetoric of international relations. They represent a real and present danger that remains with us today. The message is clear. The lessons of Hiroshima, which once guided our collective efforts toward disarmament and peace, have been pushed aside. But here in Hiroshima, we are surrounded by the true cost -- and true folly -- of nuclear weapons. We see the memorials; we hear the wisdom of the hibakusha; and we can ensure that these annual services of remembrance continue. Year after year, you -- the people of Hiroshima -- have continued your work to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again. Your dedication is truly inspirational, and guides our own efforts at the United Nations to keep alive the lessons of 1945. The lesson that any use of a nuclear weapon will have catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
The lesson that the only path to eliminate the threats posed by nuclear weapons is to eliminate them altogether. The lesson that the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. The lesson that a nuclear war cannot be won -- and must never be fought," he wrote.