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Peaceful New Year 2025 from Peace Boat!
Reflecting on 2024 and Welcoming 2025: A Message from Peace Boat
Dear Friends,
As 2024 draws to a close, we extend heartfelt gratitude to all our friends and partners worldwide. We wish you and your loved ones peace, health, and prosperity in 2025.
This year has been a challenging one for many. We stand in solidarity with the victims of genocide, conflict, natural disasters, and the devastating impacts of the climate emergency. In response, we remain committed to our mission of creating a peaceful and sustainable world through dialogue, action, and connection.
The year began with the devastating Noto Earthquake on January 1. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) immediately mobilized to support affected communities, and we continue today to work alongside local organizations to help rebuild lives. Also in January, we hosted the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) International Steering Group meeting in Tokyo, bringing together local peacebuilders from around the world to advance collaboration for conflict prevention.
In 2024, Peace Boat’s voyages continued to serve as platforms for hope and advocacy. On our 117th Voyage, the inaugural Ukraine Youth Ambassadors Programme inspired participants with stories of resilience amid ongoing conflict and encouraged urgent action to end the war. The same journey featured the Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World: Peace Boat Hibakusha Project, where survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki shared their testimonies, fostering powerful connections and advancing the call for nuclear disarmament.
Throughout the year, we stood in solidarity with Gaza, launching in August a campaign to deliver fresh vegetables to families in Gaza, and continuing our banner action in many ports, amplifying calls for a ceasefire, peace in the region, and the upholding of international law.
Ahead of COP29, Peace Boat organized activities during the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice, emphasizing the links between militarism and the climate crisis. These efforts set the stage for our engagement at COP29, where we continued to champion youth empowerment and climate action.
Our Youth for SDGs program onboard, an endorsed initiative for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, equipped young leaders with tools to address marine conservation, climate change, and sustainability challenges.
A highlight of 2024 was the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, recognizing the Hibakusha for their tireless efforts to convey the catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons. We were honoured to join them in Oslo to celebrate this historic milestone together. Since 2008, Peace Boat has invited over 270 Hibakusha onboard to share their powerful testimonies globally.
Looking ahead to 2025, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we reaffirm Peace Boat’s founding philosophy with a special initiative onboard our 120th Global Voyage to reflect on past conflicts and envision a peaceful future together; we look forward to members of Nihon Hidankyo and ICAN joining us onboard this journey to advance our joint mission.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, let’s continue building a just, nuclear-free, and sustainable world.
With gratitude and best wishes,