Atomic bomb survivor trees from Hiroshima in western Japan were planted at the UN headquarters in New York City on May 5 as a symbol of peace and resilience for people and for planet Earth.

The planting ceremony for two persimmon tree saplings took place at the UN Staff Garden ahead of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August.

The trees are among about 160 registered in Hiroshima as Hibakujumoku, or trees that survived the 1945 atomic bombing within 2 kilometers from ground zero.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

S/ Shimazu Junko, Green Legacy Hiroshima / We want future generations to feel the hope that (atomic bomb survivors) felt when seeing greenery amid the burnt ruins.

UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu Izumi urged people to not only remember the tragic event but also work on putting a stop to the current military expansion and rising tensions in various parts of the world.