Remarks by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro at the opening ceremony of the exhibition by the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) Network "A Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) Survivors' Journey"

Excellencies, colleagues, good evening.
 
I would like to extend my appreciation to Under Secretary-General Patten for her remarks, and to the survivors for sharing their stories. Japan is pleased to co-host this exhibition with Lithuania and Norway to showcase the unique and indispensable work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Unfortunately, conflict-related sexual violence remains one of the major concerns of conflicts, making prevention and response an urgent task for the world today.

Preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence is foundational to Japan’s values of ensuring human security and human rights. Since 2014, Japan has consistently contributed to the work of UN Action and the Team of Experts to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and children born out of conflict-related sexual violence, as well as judicial and legislative capacity building. Beneficiaries include the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Somalia, and most recently, Mali. I am pleased to see the survivors’ journeys through some of these project works on display in this exhibition.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express Japan’s appreciation for the work of the Office and its partnership with us. In 2022, Japan, together with Sierra Leone, co-facilitated the first resolution on international cooperation for access to justice, remedies and assistance for survivors of sexual violence, which was adopted by consensus in the General Assembly. The Office supported the process by providing technical inputs to the draft, of which we are greatly appreciative.  The resolution was welcomed by civil societies and survivors.
 
This exhibition is a valuable opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors and to learn more about UN Action’s advocacy and efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence. The exhibition is open to the public until August, so I hope we can all spread the word and consider what concrete actions can be taken to further support the work of the Office and partner organizations.
 
Thank you.