Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Security Sector Reform
2023/3/16
Thank you, Mr. President.
Allow me to start by expressing my gratitude to you for convening this meeting on such a timely topic. I am grateful for Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Alexandre Zouev, and African Union Commissioner, Mr. Bankole Adeoye for their insightful briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of South Africa and Slovakia in their capacities as co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform.
For sustainable peace and stability, building inclusive, effective and accountable institutions across the sectors have a primary importance. Security sector, in particular, is at the heart of national authority, and thus its institutional reform is, first and foremost, a political endeavor. For its success, we need both careful political consideration and well-crafted capacity building.
With that in mind, I would like to highlight two points.
First is the importance of inclusive ownership. A clearly defined blueprint must come from national leaders and owned by their people through a broad political process. People’s participation at all levels are the key driver for the reform. Transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, and the rule of law are fundamental in security sector governance to gain people’s trusts. With this in mind, the reform must be tailored and aligned with the values and norms that shape each country. The reform itself is an inevitably arduous task and it takes a long time to consolidate its achievements. Discontinuation in the middle of reforms has a significant and long-term impact on people’s daily lives. Mobilizing sufficient national resources for strengthening institutions through necessary budgetary arrangements must be a part of the reform process. Technical capacity building in this area deserves more attention to make the process more sustainable.
Second, international partnership is essential for boosting national efforts. Assisting security sector reform is a major mandated task for UN peace missions. From its long record of engagement, they are best placed to play a critical role in coordinating international efforts for a greater result in line with national priorities. It requires a comprehensive approach to address complex humanitarian-development-peace nexuses of security sector reform. Close communication and information sharing at technical level should be further encouraged with the UN entities at the hub on the ground. An integrated strategy shared by all relevant stakeholders will lead to more predictability and further mobilization of financial resources.
Mr. President,
Last week, the Council paid a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Japan has been a long-term partner with those countries striving with a formidable task of security sector reform. Professional, accessible and accountable law enforcement forces are vital in the country battling with illegal armed groups and rampant conventional crimes. Fully in line with the government priority, Japanese experts are closely working on site with the Congolese National Police to introduce community-policing model. Our support includes capacity building of police officers including budgetary management, infrastructure development of accessible police posts, and trust building of local people. In collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM), the work will expand to the area from where MONUSCO has already withdrawn in accordance with its transition plan.
Japan remains committed to working with all partners to further support security sector reform and its governance for international peace and security.
I thank you.
Allow me to start by expressing my gratitude to you for convening this meeting on such a timely topic. I am grateful for Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Alexandre Zouev, and African Union Commissioner, Mr. Bankole Adeoye for their insightful briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of South Africa and Slovakia in their capacities as co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform.
For sustainable peace and stability, building inclusive, effective and accountable institutions across the sectors have a primary importance. Security sector, in particular, is at the heart of national authority, and thus its institutional reform is, first and foremost, a political endeavor. For its success, we need both careful political consideration and well-crafted capacity building.
With that in mind, I would like to highlight two points.
First is the importance of inclusive ownership. A clearly defined blueprint must come from national leaders and owned by their people through a broad political process. People’s participation at all levels are the key driver for the reform. Transparency, accountability, respect for human rights, and the rule of law are fundamental in security sector governance to gain people’s trusts. With this in mind, the reform must be tailored and aligned with the values and norms that shape each country. The reform itself is an inevitably arduous task and it takes a long time to consolidate its achievements. Discontinuation in the middle of reforms has a significant and long-term impact on people’s daily lives. Mobilizing sufficient national resources for strengthening institutions through necessary budgetary arrangements must be a part of the reform process. Technical capacity building in this area deserves more attention to make the process more sustainable.
Second, international partnership is essential for boosting national efforts. Assisting security sector reform is a major mandated task for UN peace missions. From its long record of engagement, they are best placed to play a critical role in coordinating international efforts for a greater result in line with national priorities. It requires a comprehensive approach to address complex humanitarian-development-peace nexuses of security sector reform. Close communication and information sharing at technical level should be further encouraged with the UN entities at the hub on the ground. An integrated strategy shared by all relevant stakeholders will lead to more predictability and further mobilization of financial resources.
Mr. President,
Last week, the Council paid a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Japan has been a long-term partner with those countries striving with a formidable task of security sector reform. Professional, accessible and accountable law enforcement forces are vital in the country battling with illegal armed groups and rampant conventional crimes. Fully in line with the government priority, Japanese experts are closely working on site with the Congolese National Police to introduce community-policing model. Our support includes capacity building of police officers including budgetary management, infrastructure development of accessible police posts, and trust building of local people. In collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM), the work will expand to the area from where MONUSCO has already withdrawn in accordance with its transition plan.
Japan remains committed to working with all partners to further support security sector reform and its governance for international peace and security.
I thank you.