Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate “Peace and Security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa”
2021/5/19
Mr. President,
I thank the Chinese Presidency for convening this important meeting and the Secretary-General, UNDP Administrator, and other briefers for their remarks.
COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to human security, causing widespread and cross-cutting challenges to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of individuals around the globe. Government resources are over-stretched, negatively affecting the most vulnerable people, including women, youth, and minorities. It has increased fragility on the African continent, further exacerbating the multifaceted root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, political instability, communal hostility, and violent extremism.
In light of the recurring waves of new infections due to the variants, we must concentrate, first and foremost, on driving vaccinations and strengthening health systems in Africa, which are the essential foundations of any post-COVID recovery.
In this context, Japan will co-host “the COVAX AMC Summit” with Gavi on June 2, 2021 aiming to close the financial gap for vaccines within the framework of COVAX AMC and meet the target of delivering up to 1.8 billion doses this year. Japan also has recently announced that it would provide emergency grant aid of 27 million USD to help equip African countries with cold chain networks for transporting vaccines in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for people from all walks of life. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Japan has so far provided more than 350 million USD of assistance to Africa, including the provision of medical equipment.
Beyond emergency preparedness and response, the prevention of future pandemics will require drastic measures to strengthen the governance and service delivery in the health sector. Over the years, Japan has engaged in building resilient and inclusive health systems in Africa by supporting capacity-building of medical practitioners and policymakers and improving medical facilities. The promotion of universal health coverage (UHC) should remain an essential pillar for ensuring human security and leaving no one behind.
Mr. President,
Building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, based on the principles of African ownership, is the key for peace and stability in Africa. To support such efforts, Japan has been promoting the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA) launched at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in 2019. It aims to address the root causes of conflict and terrorism through supporting institution building.
The Sahel is one of the sub-regions where Japan provides support under the NAPSA initiative. Joining the Coalition for the Sahel, Japan has been extending assistance to peace keeping training centers, promoting capacity development in police and justice sectors, and providing vocational training to the youth to prevent their radicalization. At the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel in March, Japan announced a new humanitarian and development assistance package of about 80 million USD.
To conclude, Japan will continue to be a reliable partner for Africa, in support of its efforts to build back better from COVID-19, to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and address the root causes of conflict in the continent. Looking ahead to TICAD8 to be held in Tunisia next year, Japan renews its commitment to further promote the partnership for African development.
I thank you.
I thank the Chinese Presidency for convening this important meeting and the Secretary-General, UNDP Administrator, and other briefers for their remarks.
COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to human security, causing widespread and cross-cutting challenges to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of individuals around the globe. Government resources are over-stretched, negatively affecting the most vulnerable people, including women, youth, and minorities. It has increased fragility on the African continent, further exacerbating the multifaceted root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, political instability, communal hostility, and violent extremism.
In light of the recurring waves of new infections due to the variants, we must concentrate, first and foremost, on driving vaccinations and strengthening health systems in Africa, which are the essential foundations of any post-COVID recovery.
In this context, Japan will co-host “the COVAX AMC Summit” with Gavi on June 2, 2021 aiming to close the financial gap for vaccines within the framework of COVAX AMC and meet the target of delivering up to 1.8 billion doses this year. Japan also has recently announced that it would provide emergency grant aid of 27 million USD to help equip African countries with cold chain networks for transporting vaccines in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for people from all walks of life. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Japan has so far provided more than 350 million USD of assistance to Africa, including the provision of medical equipment.
Beyond emergency preparedness and response, the prevention of future pandemics will require drastic measures to strengthen the governance and service delivery in the health sector. Over the years, Japan has engaged in building resilient and inclusive health systems in Africa by supporting capacity-building of medical practitioners and policymakers and improving medical facilities. The promotion of universal health coverage (UHC) should remain an essential pillar for ensuring human security and leaving no one behind.
Mr. President,
Building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, based on the principles of African ownership, is the key for peace and stability in Africa. To support such efforts, Japan has been promoting the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA) launched at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in 2019. It aims to address the root causes of conflict and terrorism through supporting institution building.
The Sahel is one of the sub-regions where Japan provides support under the NAPSA initiative. Joining the Coalition for the Sahel, Japan has been extending assistance to peace keeping training centers, promoting capacity development in police and justice sectors, and providing vocational training to the youth to prevent their radicalization. At the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel in March, Japan announced a new humanitarian and development assistance package of about 80 million USD.
To conclude, Japan will continue to be a reliable partner for Africa, in support of its efforts to build back better from COVID-19, to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and address the root causes of conflict in the continent. Looking ahead to TICAD8 to be held in Tunisia next year, Japan renews its commitment to further promote the partnership for African development.
I thank you.