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A Step Towards a Peaceful, Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula
Statement by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)

As a global network of civil society peacebuilding organisations, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) welcomes today's historic summit and subsequent agreement in Singapore by President Donald Trump of the United States and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The points laid out in the agreement, relating to the establishment of new US-DPRK relations, the building of a lasting peace regime, and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula are important, positive steps forward to achieving a peaceful, nuclear-free Northeast Asia.

On May 8th, 2018, the Ocean Dream departed from Yokohama for the 98th voyage of Peace Boat. The chilly weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the attendees at the opening ceremony, who gathered to celebrate the start of the long-awaited voyage.

The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) Northeast Asia, a network of civil society organizations working for peace and dialogue in the region, wholeheartedly congratulates the leaders of the DPRK and the ROK, as well as the Korean people, for the historic achievement of the "Panmunjeom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula" issued following the Inter-Korean Summit of April 27, 2018 at the Peace House on the southern side of Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Summit contributed to a significant reduction of tensions and indeed avoidance of the catastrophe of a potential nuclear war. Furthermore, it showed the world the true impact of committed leadership and diplomacy, and the direct, personal meeting between the leaders of both Koreas sent a powerful wave of emotion around the world.

From April 2-20, Peace Boat US held the second instalment of its Sailing for Sustainability programme, developed to offer youth from the United States and around the world the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in issues related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including environmental degradation, indigenous culture and gender equality.

On March 20, 2018, Peace Boat had the privilege of hosting a presentation by former President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. José Ramos-Horta. Dr. Ramos-Horta joined the 97th Asian Voyage from Dili to Bali, and participants were eager to hear about his crucial role in helping Timor-Leste achieve its sovereignty after their own visit to the country on the previous day.

"Learning about global issues from local people is at the core of Peace Boat's educational and awareness programs," says Peace Boat Director Yoshioka Tatsuya. With this in mind, the 97th Asian Voyage had the privilege of welcoming four Palauan youth to join the ship for the first leg of its journey, which travelled from Yokohama, Japan to Koror, Palau. 

On March 7 and 8, 2018, mere days after its most recent journey to the Oceanic region, Peace Boat departed from the ports of Kobe and Yokohama on its 97th East Asia Voyage.

The 96th Oceania Voyage is sailing extensively around Australia, where ICAN (the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner and a long-time partner of Peace Boat, was founded in 2007. During this voyage, Peace Boat has collaborated with ICAN to organize a series of events both onboard and in ports to raise awareness of the importance of nuclear abolition, and encourage both Australia and Japan to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Last week, Peace Boat sailed to Fremantle, Australia, where anti-nuclear activist groups and members of aboriginal communities greeted Peace Boat participants with a welcome ceremony. Karina Lester, a guest educator, introduced herself and explained her involvement with the anti-nuclear movement. Karina is carrying the legacy of her father, the late Yami Lester, an aboriginal man who was 10 years old when the British government conducted nuclear tests in Emu Field in 1953.

As a NGO with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), Peace Boat is committed to doing its part to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs consist of 17 goals that we, both as individuals and as a society, can strive towards in order to address the most pressing economic, environmental and social issues of our times.

The air was filled with excitement and hope as everyone gathered to celebrate the start of Peace Boat's 96th Oceania Voyage in the port of Yokohama on 8 January 2018 and the port of Kobe on 9 January 2018, respectively.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of 468 non-governmental organizations in 100 countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This landmark global treaty was adopted in New York on 7 July 2017.