Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Afghanistan
2023/6/21
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to start by thanking Special Representative Otunbayeva for providing the Council with an update on the situation, and I also thank Ms. Shabana Basij-Rasikh for her valuable and brave remarks. The fire in the darkness; that is something we need to keep in mind in which we need to work together for the future of Afghanistan.
It is regrettable that we have seen few positive signs for the future of Afghanistan despite repeated calls by the Security Council and the international community. The humanitarian needs are desperate and poverty is near universal. Humanitarian access has been further constrained by a series of restrictions on the ability of women to work.
We take note of the Monitoring Team’s report on the security situation in Afghanistan. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the attack at a mosque in Badakhshan Province earlier this month, and we call on the Taliban to take thorough anti-terrorism measures
Hope is diminishing, particularly for women and girls in Afghanistan. We reemphasize the indispensable role of women for Afghanistan’s future and long-term development. We call on the Taliban to heed the unified call of the Security Council, as demonstrated in resolution 2681, swiftly reverse the restrictions on women and girls, and allow their full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in society. This will not only secure the welfare and dignity of women and girls, but will also allow Afghanistan to fulfill its potential and achieve long-term stability and prosperity for itself and the region.
Madam President,
The international community should unite around an integrated and coherent approach in addressing the challenges faced by the Afghan people. We highlight the important role of UNAMA in coordinating humanitarian assistance, monitoring the human rights situation, and promoting inclusive political dialogue. We also commend the meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan held at the beginning of May in Doha. We need to build on the takeaways from that meeting in pursuing patient, pragmatic and principled engagement with the Taliban in order to encourage them to change the course of their policies in the direction desired by the Afghan people, and to widen spaces for the benefit of Afghans. At the same time, we need to keep discussing our strategic approaches in order to benefit the Afghan people and contribute to the stability of the region.
We also welcome the appointment of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu as Special Coordinator to lead the independent assessment requested in resolution 2679. We await the opportunity to consider the forward-looking recommendations on how best to assist Afghanistan in this time of distress.
In conclusion, Japan will continue to support the building of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, and we will continuously contribute to the work of the Security Council for the better future of the Afghan people.
I thank you.
I would like to start by thanking Special Representative Otunbayeva for providing the Council with an update on the situation, and I also thank Ms. Shabana Basij-Rasikh for her valuable and brave remarks. The fire in the darkness; that is something we need to keep in mind in which we need to work together for the future of Afghanistan.
It is regrettable that we have seen few positive signs for the future of Afghanistan despite repeated calls by the Security Council and the international community. The humanitarian needs are desperate and poverty is near universal. Humanitarian access has been further constrained by a series of restrictions on the ability of women to work.
We take note of the Monitoring Team’s report on the security situation in Afghanistan. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the attack at a mosque in Badakhshan Province earlier this month, and we call on the Taliban to take thorough anti-terrorism measures
Hope is diminishing, particularly for women and girls in Afghanistan. We reemphasize the indispensable role of women for Afghanistan’s future and long-term development. We call on the Taliban to heed the unified call of the Security Council, as demonstrated in resolution 2681, swiftly reverse the restrictions on women and girls, and allow their full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in society. This will not only secure the welfare and dignity of women and girls, but will also allow Afghanistan to fulfill its potential and achieve long-term stability and prosperity for itself and the region.
Madam President,
The international community should unite around an integrated and coherent approach in addressing the challenges faced by the Afghan people. We highlight the important role of UNAMA in coordinating humanitarian assistance, monitoring the human rights situation, and promoting inclusive political dialogue. We also commend the meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan held at the beginning of May in Doha. We need to build on the takeaways from that meeting in pursuing patient, pragmatic and principled engagement with the Taliban in order to encourage them to change the course of their policies in the direction desired by the Afghan people, and to widen spaces for the benefit of Afghans. At the same time, we need to keep discussing our strategic approaches in order to benefit the Afghan people and contribute to the stability of the region.
We also welcome the appointment of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu as Special Coordinator to lead the independent assessment requested in resolution 2679. We await the opportunity to consider the forward-looking recommendations on how best to assist Afghanistan in this time of distress.
In conclusion, Japan will continue to support the building of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, and we will continuously contribute to the work of the Security Council for the better future of the Afghan people.
I thank you.