Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on the first Informal Consultation regarding the Declaration on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations

President of the General Assembly,
Mme. Co-facilitators,
Distinguished Representatives,
 
          There is a tide in the affairs of an organization. We have experienced much in the 75 years, and now we have an opportunity to shape the future we want, the UN we need. We must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.
 
Mme. Co-facilitators,
 
          Of all the documents we have adopted to commemorate past anniversaries of the UN, the World Summit Outcome of 2005 is the most substantive and comprehensive. Based on this Outcome, the outline of the declaration on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations can be composed from the following four pillars:

• development
• peace and security
• human rights and the rule of law, and
• strengthening the United Nations

 
          Regarding development, as we kick off the “Decade of Action,” we should reaffirm our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, we need to address a number of emerging and pressing issues: climate change, inequality, marine plastic litter, quality infrastructure investment, public health, disaster risk reduction, and Science, Technology, and Innovation.
 
          Regarding peace and security, we should emphasize the importance of peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The outcome of the upcoming NPT Review Conference should be duly captured as well.
 
          Regarding human rights and the rule of law, we need to underline the importance of gender equality and address our common concerns such as rule of law in cyberspace.
 
          Finally, with regard to strengthening the United Nations, I would like to refer to a statement by the Secretary-General earlier this month, and I quote, “Security Council resolutions are being disrespected even before the ink is dry.” end of quote. Looking ahead, we must reform the Security Council in the shortest possible time, so that Member States with the capacity and the willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security will be included. The Member States’ resolve to further enhance the most efficient use of resources and uphold budgetary disciplines should be reaffirmed. Since this is a forward-looking declaration, it should also recall the necessity of deleting those clauses of the Charter of the United Nations which have already been declared “obsolete” in General Assembly resolutions.
 
Mme. Co-facilitators,
 
          To conclude, I would like to reiterate Japan’s strong commitment to the work of the UN and to the discussions leading up to this declaration. You can count on our support.
 
I thank you.