Statement by Mr. HAMAMOTO Yukiya, Minister for Political Affairs, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
2023/6/20
Madame President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to say a few words on this commemorative occasion on behalf of the Government of Japan. Allow me first to congratulate all who have contributed to the negotiation of this Agreement on its successful adoption today. In particular, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Rena Lee, President of the Conference, for leading the negotiation to its successful conclusion with her strong leadership and unwavering dedication.
Upholding the free and open international order based on the rule of law is of paramount importance in moving toward an international community characterized by cooperation. That concept is exactly the main pillar Japan set out at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and we have taken a leadership role in promoting it. With this background, and as a maritime nation surrounded by sea, Japan has always attached high value to the role of UNCLOS in the maintenance and development of the maritime order based on the rule of law, and we are glad to have participated actively in the negotiations.
The adoption of this Agreement after nearly 20 years of tireless negotiations represents the strong will of the international community as a whole to address the long-standing issue of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
For the purpose of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, Japan has actively engaged in various efforts. Japan’s voluntary contributions through the Japan Biodiversity Fund under the Convention on Biological Diversity, proactive engagement in the negotiation of an international agreement to address pollution from plastic litter, and cooperation with the Pacific Island countries region in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, are only a few of many examples. We believe that these efforts will assist in the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
In order to ensure the effective implementation of this Agreement, first off, I must emphasize that all of its underlying mechanisms, such as the decision-making processes in the ABMT and the Clearing-house mechanism, need to function properly based on the best available science and scientific information. Japan hopes that these key mechanisms will be effectively operated through sufficient consideration and discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
Secondly, sound financial management is indispensable for the effective implementation of this Agreement and it is crucial that each Party makes its share of contributions according to its financial capacity without putting a disproportionate burden on just some Parties alone. In particular, we call on the top few major donors to the UN Regular Budget to act as responsible economic powers in the world and make voluntary contributions proportionate to their economic capacity.
My third and last point is that the effective implementation of this Agreement requires universal participation by the Member States, and Japan calls for its rapid entry into force and implementation as mentioned in the G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communique.
Japan hopes that international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity will continue to accelerate.
Thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to say a few words on this commemorative occasion on behalf of the Government of Japan. Allow me first to congratulate all who have contributed to the negotiation of this Agreement on its successful adoption today. In particular, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Rena Lee, President of the Conference, for leading the negotiation to its successful conclusion with her strong leadership and unwavering dedication.
Upholding the free and open international order based on the rule of law is of paramount importance in moving toward an international community characterized by cooperation. That concept is exactly the main pillar Japan set out at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and we have taken a leadership role in promoting it. With this background, and as a maritime nation surrounded by sea, Japan has always attached high value to the role of UNCLOS in the maintenance and development of the maritime order based on the rule of law, and we are glad to have participated actively in the negotiations.
The adoption of this Agreement after nearly 20 years of tireless negotiations represents the strong will of the international community as a whole to address the long-standing issue of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
For the purpose of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, Japan has actively engaged in various efforts. Japan’s voluntary contributions through the Japan Biodiversity Fund under the Convention on Biological Diversity, proactive engagement in the negotiation of an international agreement to address pollution from plastic litter, and cooperation with the Pacific Island countries region in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, are only a few of many examples. We believe that these efforts will assist in the effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
In order to ensure the effective implementation of this Agreement, first off, I must emphasize that all of its underlying mechanisms, such as the decision-making processes in the ABMT and the Clearing-house mechanism, need to function properly based on the best available science and scientific information. Japan hopes that these key mechanisms will be effectively operated through sufficient consideration and discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
Secondly, sound financial management is indispensable for the effective implementation of this Agreement and it is crucial that each Party makes its share of contributions according to its financial capacity without putting a disproportionate burden on just some Parties alone. In particular, we call on the top few major donors to the UN Regular Budget to act as responsible economic powers in the world and make voluntary contributions proportionate to their economic capacity.
My third and last point is that the effective implementation of this Agreement requires universal participation by the Member States, and Japan calls for its rapid entry into force and implementation as mentioned in the G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communique.
Japan hopes that international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity will continue to accelerate.
Thank you.