The "Peace Bell," a symbol of peace and unity against drug abuse
2024/9/19
Since 1995, the Peace Bell, a gift from Japan to the United Nations, has stood proudly at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), serving as a powerful symbol for global peace and unity in the collective fight against drug abuse by United Nations, Member States and related NGOs. The VIC is home to numerous international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). As such, the bell has become a key feature in various events promoting peace, nuclear disarmament, and drug abuse prevention.


Photo: Peace Bell
A Gift of Peace: The Story Behind the Bell’s Donation
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs envisioned the creation of a monument at the VIC that would clearly symbolize the work of the United Nations in Vienna. In support of this initiative, the Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC) in Japan and the Japan Sumo Association donated the "Peace Bell" in 1995 symbolizing the hopes of the Japanese people for world peace and the eradication of drug abuse.
A Historic Ceremony
The installation ceremony was held at the VIC in October 1995, accompanied by a special Sumo performance in Vienna. The ceremony was attended by former UN Secretary-General Dr. Kurt Waldheim, the Executive Director of the United Nations Drug Control Programme (now known as UNODC) Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli, Austrian Vice-Chancellor Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel, Japanese drug prevention celebrity Tomomi Nishimura, and Ambassador Mr. Akio Akao of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna. More than 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the installation of the Peace Bell. It was then that "Yokozuna" (the highest rank in Sumo wrestling) Takanohana, who was also serving as a UN Goodwill Ambassador at that time, rang the Peace Bell for the first time.

Photo: The installation ceremony (October 1995)
From right to left: Former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, Ambassador Akao of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Tomomi Nishimura, the Executive Director of the United Nations Drug Control Programme Giorgio Giacomelli, Yokozuna Takanohana, and Austrian Vice Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel.
Peace Bell at various events
Since its installation, the Peace Bell has played a significant role in various events promoting peace, nuclear disarmament, and drug abuse prevention. As a permanent fixer at the VIC, it has attracted the attention of the international community and served as a beacon of hope.

Photo: Event commemorating the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and promoting nuclear non-proliferation (August 2015).

Photo: In March 2023, a high-level side event was held at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the DAPC grants. After the event, a photo was taken with Japanese representatives.
Center: President Fujino of the DAPC, to his left: Ambassador Hikihara of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna.
Related links
Discover more about the Peace Bell and its role in global initiatives:
Japan’s Biggest Pop Star, Tetsuya Komuro, To Be Named Messenger for ‘Music against Drugs’ (March 2000)
Peace Bells Ring for Earth Day (March 2006)
Atoms Should Be for Peace (August 2009)
Commemorative Ceremony on the Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 2010)
UNODC honours colleagues killed in Somalia (April 2014)
Disarmament Affairs marks Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings at event in Vienna (August 2014)
Building bridges for peace and cooperation: 40 pupils from Danube Region countries join Peace Day event at the United Nations in Vienna (September 2014)
The 70th Anniversary Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings Remembered in Vienna (August 2015)
UNODA in Vienna commemorates the Int’l Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (October 2019)