Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Youth, Peace and Security
2020/4/27
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to thank the Dominican Republic for convening this important meeting on youth, peace and security. Also, I wish to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his first report on this issue.
As the Report of the Secretary-General points out, it is of critical importance to encourage the meaningful participation of youth in the efforts for peace and security. Their future depends so heavily on whether or not they are entitled to freedom from fear and freedom from want, with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential. If given the opportunity, they can make critical contributions to achieving peace and security for all.
The “human security crisis” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is seriously affecting the most vulnerable communities around the world, and in particular, those under conflict and post-conflict situations. Youth in those communities are no exception. They could be either a factor of fragility or proactive contributor in overcoming the crisis.
Japan is fully committed to supporting the active participation of young people in the peace and security agenda. They are the key players in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, Goal 16 of the SDGs. We are thankful to the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, for visiting Japan in February to interact with young people in Hiroshima and in other cities and advocating the #Youth4Peace agenda as well as the Agenda 2030.
Mr. President,
Japan’s engagement with the youth for peace and security is based on the human security approach which calls for the twin strategy of “protection and empowerment”.
First, youths need to be protected from armed conflict, terrorism, gender-based violence and other physical threat to their lives, livelihood and dignity. Japan echoes the SG Report on the need for additional investment in a whole-of-society approach to prevent violent extremism and promote gender-responsive policies and programmes.
Second, youths need to be empowered so that they can protect themselves and also fully develop their potential, enabling them to contribute to building peaceful societies. Let me share some concrete programmes for youth empowerment Japan has been supporting.
Japan provides extensive training in the field of peacebuilding and development for young civilian experts from Japan and many other countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa in collaboration with UNV. This “Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development” has enrolled around 350 youths with diverse backgrounds since 2007. In addition, Japanese participants are subsequently deployed to overseas field posts for peacebuilding and development as UN Volunteers. Many who completed the course are now actively contributing to the peace and security work of the UN system.
Japan supports capacity building of youths in post-conflict countries, such as Iraq, South Sudan, the Sahel region, and Afghanistan in partnership with the UNITAR Hiroshima Office. We invite young entrepreneurs and leaders, particularly women, from a wide range of sectors including the public and private sector, academia, media and NGOs to participate in training courses for strengthening their leadership, business planning, and entrepreneurial skills. Alumni are active in the fields of humanitarian affairs, public health, education, agriculture, environment, anti-corruption and many other areas critical to the establishment of sustainable peace and development. The total number of trainees from these countries amounts to 320 since 2015.
Japan has been working with UN-Women in Bangladesh for a project aimed at empowering women to counter the spread of violent extremism. A forum was established in close cooperation with local universities to raise awareness on the role of women in preventing violent extremism and radicalism. It has attracted more than 300 young participants to discuss issues such as gender equality, empowerment of young women and their role in peacebuilding.
Mr. President,
Since the adoption of Resolution 2250 by the Security Council in 2015, young people’s role in peace and security has been increasingly recognized by not only governments, but also civil society world-wide. However, we need to do more. Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building a world where human security is ensured and the young people’s future are better protected and promoted. We look forward to working closely with the United Nations in this joint endeavor.
Thank you.
At the outset, I would like to thank the Dominican Republic for convening this important meeting on youth, peace and security. Also, I wish to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his first report on this issue.
As the Report of the Secretary-General points out, it is of critical importance to encourage the meaningful participation of youth in the efforts for peace and security. Their future depends so heavily on whether or not they are entitled to freedom from fear and freedom from want, with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential. If given the opportunity, they can make critical contributions to achieving peace and security for all.
The “human security crisis” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is seriously affecting the most vulnerable communities around the world, and in particular, those under conflict and post-conflict situations. Youth in those communities are no exception. They could be either a factor of fragility or proactive contributor in overcoming the crisis.
Japan is fully committed to supporting the active participation of young people in the peace and security agenda. They are the key players in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, Goal 16 of the SDGs. We are thankful to the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, for visiting Japan in February to interact with young people in Hiroshima and in other cities and advocating the #Youth4Peace agenda as well as the Agenda 2030.
Mr. President,
Japan’s engagement with the youth for peace and security is based on the human security approach which calls for the twin strategy of “protection and empowerment”.
First, youths need to be protected from armed conflict, terrorism, gender-based violence and other physical threat to their lives, livelihood and dignity. Japan echoes the SG Report on the need for additional investment in a whole-of-society approach to prevent violent extremism and promote gender-responsive policies and programmes.
Second, youths need to be empowered so that they can protect themselves and also fully develop their potential, enabling them to contribute to building peaceful societies. Let me share some concrete programmes for youth empowerment Japan has been supporting.
Japan provides extensive training in the field of peacebuilding and development for young civilian experts from Japan and many other countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa in collaboration with UNV. This “Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development” has enrolled around 350 youths with diverse backgrounds since 2007. In addition, Japanese participants are subsequently deployed to overseas field posts for peacebuilding and development as UN Volunteers. Many who completed the course are now actively contributing to the peace and security work of the UN system.
Japan supports capacity building of youths in post-conflict countries, such as Iraq, South Sudan, the Sahel region, and Afghanistan in partnership with the UNITAR Hiroshima Office. We invite young entrepreneurs and leaders, particularly women, from a wide range of sectors including the public and private sector, academia, media and NGOs to participate in training courses for strengthening their leadership, business planning, and entrepreneurial skills. Alumni are active in the fields of humanitarian affairs, public health, education, agriculture, environment, anti-corruption and many other areas critical to the establishment of sustainable peace and development. The total number of trainees from these countries amounts to 320 since 2015.
Japan has been working with UN-Women in Bangladesh for a project aimed at empowering women to counter the spread of violent extremism. A forum was established in close cooperation with local universities to raise awareness on the role of women in preventing violent extremism and radicalism. It has attracted more than 300 young participants to discuss issues such as gender equality, empowerment of young women and their role in peacebuilding.
Mr. President,
Since the adoption of Resolution 2250 by the Security Council in 2015, young people’s role in peace and security has been increasingly recognized by not only governments, but also civil society world-wide. However, we need to do more. Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building a world where human security is ensured and the young people’s future are better protected and promoted. We look forward to working closely with the United Nations in this joint endeavor.
Thank you.