It is nearly impossible for anyone visiting Hiroshima not to be moved by the enormity of what this city symbolizes. The city, as we all should know, is a stark reminder of the inhumanity of humanity, once upon a time decades ago. It was where the first atomic bomb was dropped that fateful day of 1945.
I remember just standing in front of the Hiroshima Memorial Monument in quiet stillness when I visited the city some years back. Says the inscription on the monument: “Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.” It’s just a short but important message that reminds the post-war generation of our responsibility of ensuring a world where peace exists and where war will not be repeated.
It is no coincidence that last month, the government of Japan hosted the 49th Group of Seven or G7 Summit in this symbolic city of Hiroshima, perhaps to remind everyone of the challenges we are facing today; of how the foundations of the post-war global order have been shaken to the core, as Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in an article about the summit. G7 countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and the US as well as the European Union.
The G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communique reads, in part, as follows:
We are taking concrete steps to:
• support Ukraine for as long as it takes in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression;
• strengthen disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, towards the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all;
• coordinate our approach to economic resilience and economic security that is based on diversifying and deepening partnerships and de-risking, not de-coupling;
• drive the transition to clean energy economies of the future through cooperation within and beyond the G7;
• launch the Hiroshima Action Statement for Resilient Global Food Security with partner countries to address needs today and into the future; and
• deliver our goal of mobilizing $600 billion in financing for quality infrastructure through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII).
We are determined to work together and with others to:
• support a free and open Indo-Pacific and oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion;
• foster a strong and resilient global economic recovery, maintain financial stability and promote jobs and sustainable growth;
• accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing that reducing poverty and tackling the climate and nature crisis go hand in hand;
• promote the evolution of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs);
• strengthen our partnerships with African countries and support greater African representation in multilateral fora;
• preserve the planet by accelerating the decarbonization of our energy sector and the deployment of renewables, end plastic pollution and protect the oceans;
• deepen cooperation through Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), the Climate Club and new Country Packages for Forest, Nature and Climate;
• invest in global health through vaccine manufacturing capacity worldwide, the Pandemic Fund, the future international agreement for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC);
• cooperate on international migration and strengthen our common effort to fight the trafficking and smuggling of human beings; and
• advance international discussions on inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) governance and interoperability to achieve our common vision and goal of trustworthy AI, in line with our shared democratic values.
Toward lasting peace in Ukraine
I had the chance to read the lengthy document and my take-away really is the G7 leaders’ commitment to stand together against Russia’s “illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
This, I believe, is important now more than ever because a victory for Russia would only empower other autocratic nations. The sanctions against Russia must continue until the war ends and there is lasting peace in Ukraine.
“We are also building on the success of our efforts to ensure that Russia is no longer able to weaponize the availability of energy against us and against the world. Since February 2022, we have adopted sanctions, import banks and other measures to reduce our dependence on Russia’s source of energy. In addition, in Elmau, we agreed to launch a price cap on Russia oil and petroleum products. This is working. Russia’s revenues are down. Global oil and gas prices have fallen significantly, benefiting countries around the world,” the G7 said.
For his part, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended last month’s summit, said, “The more we all work together, the less likely anyone else in the world will follow Russia’s insane path.”
President Biden said the summit as well as the side meetings with fellow G7 leaders have been fruitful, as it left world leaders more united and more determined to work on greater progress in the months ahead.
The Philippines and Indo-Pacific
What does the G7 Summit mean for the Philippines?
The leaders reiterated the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific. There is no better time to push for this than now as this is also a vital concern for our country.
World leaders need to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific and to stand against China’s action in the South China Sea.
Japan, for its part, reinforces its commitment to maritime stability in the region, deepening its partnership with the Philippines. It has been a staunch supporter of our country, especially in helping us improve our maritime security.
Indeed, the world truly is changing. May the world’s present-day leaders ensure that the way we respond to the changes are rules-based and one that promotes peace and social justice.
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Email: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.