The Appeal prepared by a drafting committee was approved by applause at the Closing Ceremony. Saying, "The human family now faces the risk of nuclear proliferation and a third use of nuclear weapons," it points to the doctrines of the seven nuclear-weapon states, including India and Pakistan, as well as North Korea's declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons, and the danger of use by terrorists. It demands that all governments immediately cease operational deployment of nuclear weapons and begin negotiations toward an international treaty banning such weapons.

In addition, six future steps were articulated, including: 1) strengthening links with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to achieve a treaty banning nuclear weapons by 2010, 2) urge the First Committee of the UN General Assembly to establish a special committee to deliberate and plan for a nuclear-free world, and 3) launch a diversity of campaigns around the world.

After the General Conference ended, Mayors for Peace President and Mayor of Hiroshima Tadatoshi Akiba said, "We are revising our Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons (2020 Vision) and have established a 'campaign year' that will last until next August 9. We intend to raise the funds we need to carry out our concrete projects."

Including Japanese and foreigners, 205 members from 92 cities in 20 countries (plus three organizations) participated. National government representatives from 14 countries and 38 NGO representatives also joined the three days of discussion.

(Caption)Mayors for Peace after adopting the Hiroshima Appeal