Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, for the Security Council Open Debate on the theme “Agility and Innovation: Lessons for the Future from the COVID-19 Pandemic”
2021/6/16
Mr. President,
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Estonian Presidency and to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG), for organizing this open debate on improving the working methods of the Security Council, to which Japan has always been deeply committed. Japan also appreciates the tireless work of current and recent Council members toward the development of this body’s working methods.
Japan is pleased to see that the Council is beginning to normalize its activities as the COVID-19 situation improves. Japan would like to reiterate its respect and gratitude to the successive Presidencies of the Security Council since March 2020 for their efforts to continue the work of the Council under the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.
Mr. President,
Necessity is the mother of invention. It is commendable that the Security Council has been able to carry out its work without interruption in this time of crisis, by making full use of digital technology with a challenging spirit. Innovative working methods have been developed, including videoconferences (VTCs), voting procedures, provisional programme of work (POW), as well as arrangements for the compilation and circulation of statements submitted for VTC Open Debates.
On the other hand, there is room for improvement. For example, requiring consensus to adopt agenda items for VTCs hinders the Council's capacity to deal flexibly with impending issues, and we see no reason why different rules for agenda-setting should be applied to VTCs. In addition, while the video format of the Open Debate has facilitated high-level participation by Council members, the situation where non-Council members are only allowed to submit written statements hampers the voices of non-Council members to be heard in a timely manner.
The tools developed to cope with various constraints imposed by the pandemic could serve to keep the Council operating under similar situation in the future, for example, the shutdown of the UN premises due to heavy snowfall. Therefore, serious consideration should be given to the possibility of introducing new rules in the Council's working methods to be better prepared for any contingency.
Mr. President,
Japan is of the view that in pursuing reforms of the working methods, it is important to strike the right balance between the dual needs for transparency and efficiency. To strengthen the legitimacy of the decisions of the Council, the decision-making process should be as transparent as possible, allowing it to take into account different views from both inside and outside the Council.
On the other hand, we should be mindful of our prime objective, which is to enhance the Council's capacity to take the best action in most efficient and timely manner to maintain and restore international peace and security. We believe this applies not only to regular Council meetings, but also to virtual meetings as well.
Mr. President,
Japan is currently running for election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the term 2023-2024, and if elected, will make further contributions to the improvement of the Council's working methods in cooperation with all Member States.
I thank you.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Estonian Presidency and to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG), for organizing this open debate on improving the working methods of the Security Council, to which Japan has always been deeply committed. Japan also appreciates the tireless work of current and recent Council members toward the development of this body’s working methods.
Japan is pleased to see that the Council is beginning to normalize its activities as the COVID-19 situation improves. Japan would like to reiterate its respect and gratitude to the successive Presidencies of the Security Council since March 2020 for their efforts to continue the work of the Council under the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.
Mr. President,
Necessity is the mother of invention. It is commendable that the Security Council has been able to carry out its work without interruption in this time of crisis, by making full use of digital technology with a challenging spirit. Innovative working methods have been developed, including videoconferences (VTCs), voting procedures, provisional programme of work (POW), as well as arrangements for the compilation and circulation of statements submitted for VTC Open Debates.
On the other hand, there is room for improvement. For example, requiring consensus to adopt agenda items for VTCs hinders the Council's capacity to deal flexibly with impending issues, and we see no reason why different rules for agenda-setting should be applied to VTCs. In addition, while the video format of the Open Debate has facilitated high-level participation by Council members, the situation where non-Council members are only allowed to submit written statements hampers the voices of non-Council members to be heard in a timely manner.
The tools developed to cope with various constraints imposed by the pandemic could serve to keep the Council operating under similar situation in the future, for example, the shutdown of the UN premises due to heavy snowfall. Therefore, serious consideration should be given to the possibility of introducing new rules in the Council's working methods to be better prepared for any contingency.
Mr. President,
Japan is of the view that in pursuing reforms of the working methods, it is important to strike the right balance between the dual needs for transparency and efficiency. To strengthen the legitimacy of the decisions of the Council, the decision-making process should be as transparent as possible, allowing it to take into account different views from both inside and outside the Council.
On the other hand, we should be mindful of our prime objective, which is to enhance the Council's capacity to take the best action in most efficient and timely manner to maintain and restore international peace and security. We believe this applies not only to regular Council meetings, but also to virtual meetings as well.
Mr. President,
Japan is currently running for election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the term 2023-2024, and if elected, will make further contributions to the improvement of the Council's working methods in cooperation with all Member States.
I thank you.