Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate “Enhancing Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and subregional organizations in Enhancing Confidence building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution”
2021/4/19
Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this important meeting and I am grateful to the briefers for their insightful remarks.
More than a year has passed since the outbreak of COVID-19, which continues to pose a serious threat to human security. Given the enormous impact of the pandemic, one of the most pressing actions for the international community to take should have been the full implementation of the global ceasefire that was called for by the Secretary-General and by subsequent Security Council resolutions. Sadly, in too many places, this has not happened. As one of the co-initiators of the Statement in support of the Secretary-General’s appeal, which was joined by 172 Member States and Observers, Japan once again calls upon all parties to conflicts to faithfully implement the global ceasefire, with the help of regional and subregional organizations as appropriate.
In fact, important synergies in the pacific settlement of local disputes can be achieved if the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations work in a complementary manner in line with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Even during the pandemic, notable efforts have been made in this context. For instance, ECOWAS provided good offices in response to the situation in Mali last summer while closely working with MINUSMA. Cooperation between the UN and the African Union in Darfur and Somalia is another good example. Japan commends the AU and subregional bodies in Africa such as ECOWAS and IGAD for their strenuous efforts to realize peace and stability on the continent in partnership with the UN and other international partners.
Mr. President,
Japan supports the enhanced role of regional and subregional bodies in the maintenance of peace and security, in line with the principles of the UN such as the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law. We believe these entities, together with the people and governments of the countries concerned, can and should play an indispensable role in sustaining and strengthening peace and stability through facilitating confidence-building measures and by contributing to capacity- and institution-building.
Since its launch at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) in 2019, Japan has promoted NAPSA (the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa) and supported African regional and subregional bodies. Joining the Coalition for the Sahel, we announced a new humanitarian and development assistance package of about 80 million US dollars at its Ministerial Meeting last month. Japan also supports peacekeeping training centers and extends assistance to human resources development in police and justice sectors in many African countries. Looking ahead to TICAD 8 to be held in Tunisia next year, Japan will further support Africa’s efforts under NAPSA.
In 2019, ASEAN published the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific”, which is intended to build strategic trust in the region. Japan and ASEAN have reaffirmed that the Outlook and Japan’s concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific share fundamental principles, and Japan fully supports the Outlook. Japan and ASEAN will work together closely for peace and stability, including on conflict prevention and resolution in the region. This month, Japan and Vietnam co-hosted the Experts’ Working Group meeting on peacekeeping operations in the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+). Both countries plan to hold a joint exercise on peacekeeping operations in 2023, which will contribute to UN peacekeeping. Japan has also supported the establishment and functioning of the AHA Center (the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management) over the last decade, which has steadily contributed to peace and stability in the region.
Last but not least, Japan appreciates and welcomes the efforts made by ASEAN to resolve the ongoing situation in Myanmar. Japan is committed to playing its part, in close cooperation with partners in the region and beyond, in bringing about the early recovery of peace and the democratic process that reflects the wishes of the people of Myanmar.
I thank you.
I thank you for convening this important meeting and I am grateful to the briefers for their insightful remarks.
More than a year has passed since the outbreak of COVID-19, which continues to pose a serious threat to human security. Given the enormous impact of the pandemic, one of the most pressing actions for the international community to take should have been the full implementation of the global ceasefire that was called for by the Secretary-General and by subsequent Security Council resolutions. Sadly, in too many places, this has not happened. As one of the co-initiators of the Statement in support of the Secretary-General’s appeal, which was joined by 172 Member States and Observers, Japan once again calls upon all parties to conflicts to faithfully implement the global ceasefire, with the help of regional and subregional organizations as appropriate.
In fact, important synergies in the pacific settlement of local disputes can be achieved if the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations work in a complementary manner in line with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Even during the pandemic, notable efforts have been made in this context. For instance, ECOWAS provided good offices in response to the situation in Mali last summer while closely working with MINUSMA. Cooperation between the UN and the African Union in Darfur and Somalia is another good example. Japan commends the AU and subregional bodies in Africa such as ECOWAS and IGAD for their strenuous efforts to realize peace and stability on the continent in partnership with the UN and other international partners.
Mr. President,
Japan supports the enhanced role of regional and subregional bodies in the maintenance of peace and security, in line with the principles of the UN such as the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law. We believe these entities, together with the people and governments of the countries concerned, can and should play an indispensable role in sustaining and strengthening peace and stability through facilitating confidence-building measures and by contributing to capacity- and institution-building.
Since its launch at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) in 2019, Japan has promoted NAPSA (the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa) and supported African regional and subregional bodies. Joining the Coalition for the Sahel, we announced a new humanitarian and development assistance package of about 80 million US dollars at its Ministerial Meeting last month. Japan also supports peacekeeping training centers and extends assistance to human resources development in police and justice sectors in many African countries. Looking ahead to TICAD 8 to be held in Tunisia next year, Japan will further support Africa’s efforts under NAPSA.
In 2019, ASEAN published the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific”, which is intended to build strategic trust in the region. Japan and ASEAN have reaffirmed that the Outlook and Japan’s concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific share fundamental principles, and Japan fully supports the Outlook. Japan and ASEAN will work together closely for peace and stability, including on conflict prevention and resolution in the region. This month, Japan and Vietnam co-hosted the Experts’ Working Group meeting on peacekeeping operations in the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+). Both countries plan to hold a joint exercise on peacekeeping operations in 2023, which will contribute to UN peacekeeping. Japan has also supported the establishment and functioning of the AHA Center (the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management) over the last decade, which has steadily contributed to peace and stability in the region.
Last but not least, Japan appreciates and welcomes the efforts made by ASEAN to resolve the ongoing situation in Myanmar. Japan is committed to playing its part, in close cooperation with partners in the region and beyond, in bringing about the early recovery of peace and the democratic process that reflects the wishes of the people of Myanmar.
I thank you.