Ahead of speeches by the leaders of various countries at the United Nations General Assembly next week, a ceremony was held at the UN Headquarters to ring the "Bell of Peace" given by the Japan, and Secretary-General Guterres and the Japan officials in attendance renewed their wishes for world peace.
The Peace Bell at the United Nations Headquarters was made by melting coins from around the world by Chiyoji Nakagawa of Ehime Prefecture, who was involved in peace activities, and donated in 1954, and a ceremony is held every year in which the Secretary-General rings the bell in front of the United Nations General Assembly.
The ceremony held on the 13th was attended by Secretary-General Guterres, Japan Ishikane Ambassador to the United Nations, and Ms. Nakagawa's daughter Seiko Takase, who presented the bell.
Secretary-General Guterres said: "Peace is not the responsibility of governments and political leaders alone, it is the job of all of us. Each and every one of us must work to promote peace," and then quietly rang the bell.
In conjunction with the ceremony, the Japan garden where the bell is placed was taken care of, and Mr. Shinichiro Abe, who designed the garden, and landscapers visiting from Japan cleaned the garden trees.
Mr. Abe said, "We can't do much, but I hope that the Secretary-General can ring the bell every year and pray for peace by taking care of the garden."