Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Security Council VTC Open Debate on “Ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in contexts affected by conflict and insecurity”
2021/2/17
Mr. President,
The world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The start of vaccination programs gives us hope but no one will be truly safe until everyone in the world is safe. Under such circumstances, I welcome this timely Open Debate.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 is affecting all three pillars of the United Nations; development, human rights, and peace and security. To overcome this unprecedented human security crisis and build back better, we need vaccination programs around the globe, leaving no one behind, including those in conflict situations. Today I wish to highlight three key words for realizing effective inoculation for conflict-affected populations: ceasefire, resources and transparency.
First, ceasefire. To provide vaccines for the most vulnerable people living under armed conflict, fighting must stop. The Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and Security Council resolution 2532 must be respected. As one of the co-initiators of the Statement in support for the SG’s appeal joined by 172 Members States and Observers, Japan once again calls upon all parties to conflicts to faithfully implement the global ceasefire. At the same time, relief efforts to combat zones must not be exploited by or embolden the combatants who control these areas, thereby prolonging the conflict, as we have seen in some past humanitarian crises.
Second, resources. Channeling sufficient vaccines safely to conflict zones requires considerable resources. The ACT Accelerator including its COVAX Facility is a key initiative in this regard. Most recently, the Foreign Minister of Japan, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, announced that Japan would increase its contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment to a total of USD 200 million. Based on the concept of human security, Japan is convinced that “no one’s health should be left behind” in the global efforts to achieve universal health coverage, and calls on others to join.
Third, transparency. From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, transparent and timely dissemination of scientific facts and data has been essential, not only in containing the spread of the virus but also in minimizing its social and economic consequences. The same applies to conflict-affected situations, where extra efforts are required to raise awareness at the community level and where misinformation could provoke insecurity. Vaccination campaigns can only be effective when conducted under a transparent, accountable and inclusive system that fully involves local communities. Beyond the imminent fight against COVID-19, such institution-building efforts are critical to be better prepared for future pandemics and also to nurture people’s trust in their government, which could potentially contribute to building and sustaining peace.
Mr. President,
The three issues I raised are not specific to the effort of ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. They are indeed common challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable people living under conflict. Moreover, they are not specific to the mandate of the Security Council, but require joint action with humanitarian and development stakeholders in the UN system and beyond. Nexus is the key. This is not an issue of competition; what we need is compassion, commitment and global solidarity.
I thank you.
The world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The start of vaccination programs gives us hope but no one will be truly safe until everyone in the world is safe. Under such circumstances, I welcome this timely Open Debate.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 is affecting all three pillars of the United Nations; development, human rights, and peace and security. To overcome this unprecedented human security crisis and build back better, we need vaccination programs around the globe, leaving no one behind, including those in conflict situations. Today I wish to highlight three key words for realizing effective inoculation for conflict-affected populations: ceasefire, resources and transparency.
First, ceasefire. To provide vaccines for the most vulnerable people living under armed conflict, fighting must stop. The Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and Security Council resolution 2532 must be respected. As one of the co-initiators of the Statement in support for the SG’s appeal joined by 172 Members States and Observers, Japan once again calls upon all parties to conflicts to faithfully implement the global ceasefire. At the same time, relief efforts to combat zones must not be exploited by or embolden the combatants who control these areas, thereby prolonging the conflict, as we have seen in some past humanitarian crises.
Second, resources. Channeling sufficient vaccines safely to conflict zones requires considerable resources. The ACT Accelerator including its COVAX Facility is a key initiative in this regard. Most recently, the Foreign Minister of Japan, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, announced that Japan would increase its contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment to a total of USD 200 million. Based on the concept of human security, Japan is convinced that “no one’s health should be left behind” in the global efforts to achieve universal health coverage, and calls on others to join.
Third, transparency. From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, transparent and timely dissemination of scientific facts and data has been essential, not only in containing the spread of the virus but also in minimizing its social and economic consequences. The same applies to conflict-affected situations, where extra efforts are required to raise awareness at the community level and where misinformation could provoke insecurity. Vaccination campaigns can only be effective when conducted under a transparent, accountable and inclusive system that fully involves local communities. Beyond the imminent fight against COVID-19, such institution-building efforts are critical to be better prepared for future pandemics and also to nurture people’s trust in their government, which could potentially contribute to building and sustaining peace.
Mr. President,
The three issues I raised are not specific to the effort of ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. They are indeed common challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable people living under conflict. Moreover, they are not specific to the mandate of the Security Council, but require joint action with humanitarian and development stakeholders in the UN system and beyond. Nexus is the key. This is not an issue of competition; what we need is compassion, commitment and global solidarity.
I thank you.