TIME FOR PEACE: United for a Better Future

Onboard Peace Boat at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

On Sunday August 10, Peace Boat proudly co-hosted the Reception: TIME FOR PEACE together with the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. This special gathering marked 80 years since the end of World War II and the foundation of the United Nations, and formed part of the Peace, Human Security, and Dignity Theme Week at the Expo.

The event took place aboard Pacific World, Peace Boat’s 78,000-ton passenger ship, docked at Osaka Port near the Yumeshima Expo site. It was a unique occasion for dialogue and exchange among local and global stakeholders committed to promoting peace, human security, and dignity.

A Global Gathering for Peace

More than 650 participants from over 60 countries joined us, including representatives from various UN agencies, civil society organisations, and both local community and international partners. Together, we aimed to amplify voices, connect people, and strengthen our shared commitment to peacebuilding and sustainability.

Attendees heard powerful testimonies, took part in thought-provoking conversations, and enjoyed artistic performances dedicated to raising awareness about peace. While celebrating human connection, we also recognised the sobering reality that millions worldwide still lack what many of us take for granted—most importantly, peace itself.

From Ukraine to Gaza, Sudan, and other underreported conflicts, the message was clear: all people deserve peace, security, dignity, and human rights.

Standing in Solidarity

In a gesture of solidarity, donations were gathered from participants to support those in Gaza who have lost everything. This emergency assistance—covering essentials such as food, medicine, clean water, and basic hygiene items—will be channelled through UNRWA, a trusted UN agency featured in the UN Pavilion at Expo. Those unable to attend can still contribute online here: UNRWA Gaza Emergency Appeal.

Inspiring Voices

The stage welcomed a series of distinguished speakers who each brought their own expertise and heartfelt appeals for a more peaceful future. The evening began with introductions by co-hosts Yoshioka Tatsuya, Founder of Peace Boat and Maher Nasser, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Commissioner-General of the United Nations at Expo 2025.

Professor Oussouby Sacko, Deputy Chairperson of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, then took the stage to speak on behalf of Expo 2025, highlighting the Expo’s role as a platform for global collaboration.

Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, shared reflections on the state of global security and the pressing need for disarmament.

Hobara Minami, Head of the Japan Red Cross in Ukraine, offered deeply moving and personal insights from her work supporting communities affected by the ongoing conflict there.

Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), addressed the moral and practical imperatives for nuclear disarmament, while Tanaka Terumi, Co-Chair of Nihon Hidankyo, shared his first-hand experience of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

Last December, Tanaka-san delivered the Nobel Lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The Chair of the Nobel Peace Committee described Hibakusha as “not only victims of war but also witnesses and teachers” who have “turned ashes into testimony and testimony into global awareness.” In his address, Tanaka-san embodied that transformation, speaking with both pain and hope.

Following his speech, the 93-year-old Tanaka-san was joined on stage by one of the evening’s youngest participants Isabella McGovern to together ring the UN Peace Bell, together highlighting intergenerational collaboration and hope for the future.

The Power of Art and Performance

The day was enriched by performances that reminded us of art’s role as a bridge between cultures and a driver of empathy. Nimura Eijin, the world-renowned violinist and UNESCO Artist for Peace, delivered a breathtaking performance that amazed both the ears and the eyes of the audience, proving that music is more than entertainment—it is a universal language that connects us all and inspires a more peaceful world.

The internationally acclaimed Japanese group JO1 also took the stage. Their leader Yonashiro Sho delivered a heartfelt speech about how connections through music can grow into something greater — “a peaceful future where everyone can hold hands, share smiles, and live free from war and nuclear weapons.” This was followed by a high-energy performance by the entire group that filled the ship with joy and excitement.

A Spectacular Finale

Following the event in the Theater, participants joined a networking reception which was headlined by words from Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.

The sky above Osaka Port then came alive with a stunning drone show presented by REDCLIFF. Themed Time for Peace, it was a visual journey of light and movement, symbolising the passage of time, the resilience of the human spirit, and the collective steps we can take toward a better future. With their mission of “Bringing Surprise and Emotion to the Night Sky,” REDCLIFF has become renowned for producing world-class drone performances that merge cutting-edge technology with powerful storytelling. As a Platinum Partner of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, REDCLIFF is also the creative force behind the Expo’s official nightly “One World, One Planet” drone spectacular, featuring over 1,000 drones lighting up the sky.

Peace Boat extends heartfelt thanks to our partners at the UN Pavilion everyone who attended and contributed to this unforgettable occasion. Together, we reaffirm our shared belief: that peace is not just an ideal, but a right for all people—one worth protecting, nurturing, and building, every single day.