Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations on Agenda Item 110: Work of the Organization
2020/1/22
(As delivered)
Mr. President,Madame Chef de Cabinet,
This year 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, and, as a proud member of this Organization, Japan is ready to commit to and participate in the global dialogue to discuss the future we want and the United Nations we need. As has been put forward by the Secretary-General, anniversaries are not only for celebration. We need to make it a year of action.
Mr. President,
We would like to welcome the launch of the Decade of Action for the SDGs. Based on strong political leadership, Japan is committed to contributing to promoting the SDGs both domestically and internationally. This year, Japan will host the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto, the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be held as well. These events and conferences will focus on various aspects of the SDGs, from the environment and climate change to clean energy, and health to peace and justice. We will take full advantage of these opportunities to enhance international cooperation to advance the SDGs.
Furthermore, Japan will accelerate our commitment to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in this important year for women’s agendas. For this purpose, Japan will host our 6th World Assembly for Women this year, where we invite leaders and representatives of Member States and international organizations including the United Nations.
Japan also emphasizes the critical importance of a successful outcome of the NPT Review Conference this year. We cannot afford to see its failure. I would like to call upon all states concerned to be united and work towards upholding the treaty and thus maintaining international peace and security.
The United Nations, as the world governing body, has reshaped and restructured itself over the past 75 years to keep up with the changing world. Japan expects to see that the initiative, led by the Secretary-General, to reform the United Nations will achieve its goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Organization.
Moreover, to reflect the realities of the contemporary world, the Security Council has to be reformed. Today, there are more Member States who have the capacity and willingness to contribute to maintaining international peace and security, and the Council’s membership should be expanded to include them. We must not delay the reform of the Council anymore.
Mr. President,
2020 is a year with many opportunities for us to make achievements. As stated in the Report of the Secretary-General, it is the duty of the United Nations to ensure that all people can enjoy safety, prosperity and dignity. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of this Organization, we must reaffirm our commitments to that duty that we owe to the people of the world.
Japan is ready to continue supporting and engaging with the work of the United Nations in all its main pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights. We are ready to contribute to galvanizing the work of the Organization to meet our responsibilities towards the next generation.
I thank you.