The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities (IAPMC) is a left-of-center anti-war organization that seeks to persuade governments and states to “understand that nuclear disarmament” and “total abolition of nuclear weapons” is a “primary necessity” to achieving and maintaining international peace. ¹

The organization supported the adoption of a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons by a United Nations conference in New York in July 2017, noting at the time that the treaty “constitutes one giant step towards the total elimination of all nuclear weapons.” ²

The organization also supported resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that called for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. According to a petition titled “IAPMC Petition for a Nuclear Weapons Free Middle East,” the organization claimed the large military presence by the United States in the Middle East, and previous threats of sanctions against Iran grounded in the claim that it was building nuclear weapons, were “exacerbating an already tense and volatile situation.” ³

Background

The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities is a left-of-center anti-war organization formed through direction from the United Nations. ¹

During the International Year of Peace in 1986, then-Secretary-General of the United Nations Javier Perez de Cuellar, designated 68 cities worldwide as “Messengers of Peace.” Mayors and representatives from 62 of those cities met in Verdun, France in September 1988, where they agreed to create the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities. The organization was formally authorized to designate new member cities in 1996. ¹

All members of the organization subscribe to its statute, which states that IAPMC aims to promote efforts aimed at opposing wars, including attempts to persuade governments and states to “understand that nuclear disarmament” and the “total abolition of nuclear weapons” is a “primary necessity” to achieving and maintaining international peace. It also states that it engages in activities in fields such as education, sports, youth, culture, and environmental protection. ^{2 1}

Statement on the 2026 Iran War

The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities released a statement in March 2026 regarding the conflict between the United States and Iran. ⁴

The statement called for “the immediate cessation of hostilities” and de-escalation by the parties involved. It also “urge[d] all parties” to refrain from continuing military operations or “rhetoric that may further intensify tensions,” and called for a return to negotiations.  ⁴

Nuclear Disarmament

The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities supported the adoption by a United Nations conference in New York of a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons in July 2017, noting at the time that the treaty “constitutes one giant step towards the total elimination of all nuclear weapons.” ²

The organization also supported resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that called for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. According to a petition titled “IAPMC Petition for a Nuclear Weapons Free Middle East,” the organization claimed the large military presence by the United States in the Middle East, and the previous threats of sanctions against Iran grounded in the claim that it was building “nuclear weapons,” were “exacerbating an already tense and volatile situation.” Due to this, IAPMC supported the declaration of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East. ³

People

Al Marder was the president of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities for 12 years and was the only non-mayor to hold that position. ⁵

Marder, who died in December 2023, was involved for a long time in the leadership of the World Peace Council and worked as president of the U.S. Peace Council. Marder was a lifelong communist activist and member of the Communist Party USA. He became a leader of the Young Communist League at the age of sixteen. ^{5 6 7}

Marder, along with others, was arrested under the Smith Act in 1954. The act prohibited people from advocating for the overthrow of the United States government by illegal means, including force. Marder was the only one acquitted at trial. ^{6 8}

1. “IAPMC > About Us > Statute.” Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.iapmc.org/About-Us/Statute. 
2. “Statement On The Adoption By A United Nations Conference Of The Treaty On The Prohibition Of Nuclear Weapons.” IAPMC. July 9, 2017. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.iapmc.org/Content/Articles/ArtMID/1387/ArticleID/3779. 
3. “IAPMC Petition for A Nuclear Weapons Free Middle East.” Accessed March 23, 2026. https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/iapmc-petition-for-a. 
4. “Statement By The International Association Of Peace Messenger Cities (Iapmc) On The Immediate Cessation Of Armed Conflicts And The Primacy Of Diplomacy.” March 10, 2026. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.iapmc.org/Content/Articles/ArtMID/1387/ArticleID/3813. 
5. Lowendorf, Henry. “Remembering Al Marder: A century of struggle for peace, justice, and socialism.” December 21, 2023. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/remembering-al-marder-a-century-of-struggle-for-peace-justice-and-socialism/. 
6. Bass, Paul. “Al Marder, True Believer To The End, Dies At 101.” New Haven Independent. December 19, 2023. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.newhavenindependent.org/2023/12/19/al_marder_crusading_true_believer_to_the_end_dies_at_101/. 
7. Godels, Greg. “An Interview with Al Marder, President, US Peace Council.” MLT. March 12, 2019. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://mltoday.com/an-interview-with-al-marder-president-us-peace-council/. 
8. “Smith Act.” Research Starters. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/smith-act.