City of Hobart joins thousands of cities to appeal for peace

Published on 22 September 2025

Hobart residents are taking part in the United Nations’ official International Day of Peace, joining with over 8,000 other cities in 160 nations in the ‘Mayors for Peace’ network.

Mayors for Peace cities are an alliance of local leaders and Councils calling for a bigger focus being on diplomacy, disarmament and international law to prevent war.

Local peace movements are growing and visibility in response to an increase in concerns about escalating geopolitical tensions, conflicts and instability.

This year also marks 80 years since nuclear bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The threat of nuclear war has unfortunately not decreased in the years since.

According to the latest annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute the global stockpile of nuclear warheads has risen to an estimated 12,241.

The City of Hobart will commemorate the International Day of Peace this week with two special events.

Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:

“True and lasting peace requires efforts from citizens in every corner of the world, not just from international institutions.

“Many Hobart residents, particularly young people, are worried about escalating tensions and conflicts and how this could spread globally.

“Attending these events locally gives people an opportunity to express their views about the importance of working towards a more peaceful future.

“Peace is not passive. It lives in our choices, our communities, and our care for one another. If we want peace in the world, we have to advocate for it wherever we are.

“We need more focus on peacekeeping and diplomacy and less on militarism and the trade of weapons.

“Voices around the world, including here Hobart are also calling for the phase out of nuclear weapons which have the potential to threaten every community in the world.”