Welcome Greetings Genjiro Kaneko Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to see so many participants gathered at the 4th Nagasaki Global Citizens� Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. On behalf of all citizens of Nagasaki Prefecture, I extend a heartfelt welcome to you all. On August 9, 1945, 65 years ago, a single A-bomb dropped on Nagasaki City destroyed a beautiful city, turning it to ashes and taking the lives of so many of its residents. Even though the city was restored through the untiring efforts of its residents, survivors who had lost their beloved families remain in deep sorrow. Moreover, 65 years after the bombing, A-bomb survivors have become truly aged as they continue to suffer from the impacts of A-bomb radiation. Throughout Nagasaki Prefecture, August 9 is a day of prayer for war victims and for world peace. Every year on that day we pray for the souls of A-bomb victims and for permanent world peace. To ensure that the young generation inherits our ardent wishes for peace, schools in Nagasaki provide peace education. Needless to say, since that day in 1945, Nagasaki residents have been working together to realize the abolition of nuclear weapons and the emergence of a world without war. Despite our efforts to realize the abolition of nuclear weapons, many such weapons still remain in the world. In 2009, we experienced various difficult problems, including underground nuclear tests by North Korea and suspected nuclear development by Iran. The world situation is becoming increasingly complex, which makes nuclear abolition an even more challenging task. On the other hand, we also witnessed favorable changes in the global political environment. In April 2009 President Obama declared America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. This speech truly caused a new surge of momentum toward nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation. In December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Nuclear Disarmament Resolution with an overwhelming majority. These recent events indicate that we now have an optimal opportunity to advance nuclear disarmament and abolition on a global basis. I firmly believe that now is the best moment for us to take concerted action toward realizing nuclear abolition and permanent world peace. Residents of Nagasaki Prefecture must continue to appeal to the public worldwide, in both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states, regarding the absolute need to abolish all nuclear weapons. On the basis of first-hand experience, we must communicate the unprecedented magnitude of misery caused by the A-bombing and endless suffering of the A-bomb survivors, that goes on even 65 years after the incident. In May 2010, the United Nations will hold the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Regarding this year as crucial for determining the future state of the world, all residents of Nagasaki Prefecture are eager to deliver a peace message, incorporating our ardent wish that Nagasaki will be the last city to suffer atomic bombing. Together with the participants in this Assembly from around the world, we are determined to work toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons. In conclusion, I would like to express my earnest prayer for the success of this Assembly, and for the continued good health and prosperity of all participants, members of the Organizing Committee and all other parties concerned. Thank you.