Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Action for Peacekeeping event on Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel
2021/6/28
I thank the Under-Secretary-Generals, Ms. Catherine Pollard and Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix for the initiative.
Misconduct by peacekeeping personnel, including sexual exploitation and abuse, not only poses serious threat to the safety of civilians for which they are deployed but gravely offends the value and credibility of the Organization. It is the collective responsibility of both the Member States and the UN Secretariat to implement “zero tolerance” to the letter.
I would like to highlight two specific points: 1) leadership, and 2) training and capacity-building.
Leadership
The efforts to strengthen the integrity as well as conduct and discipline of peacekeepers must start well before being dispatched, while at the national military and police of each troop- and police-contributing country. It requires long-term investment on and constant review of such measures as training, supervision and remedial actions in the national military and police. Such sustained efforts can only be achieved through strong and consistent leadership.
In this regard, Japan appreciates the initiatives of Secretary-General Guterres on the Circle of Leadership and the Voluntary Compact. Japan was one of the first countries to sign the Voluntary Compact and all its prime ministers, including the incumbent, have joined the Circle of Leadership since its launch. Japan is committed at the highest political level to further strengthen the conduct and discipline of peacekeepers including its own personnel and to end the impunity of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations.
Training and capacity building
The Japan Self-Defense Forces practices regular and persistent training and supervision to maintain high morale and conduct among their personnel. In addition, the Government of Japan provides all personnel designated to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations with intensive training on conduct and discipline before being dispatched.
Japan has also supported the enhancement of conduct and discipline of peacekeepers from other troop- and police-contributing countries through the development of E-learning courses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
Japan stands ready to continue to contribute to strengthening the conduct and discipline of UN peacekeepers.
I thank you.
Misconduct by peacekeeping personnel, including sexual exploitation and abuse, not only poses serious threat to the safety of civilians for which they are deployed but gravely offends the value and credibility of the Organization. It is the collective responsibility of both the Member States and the UN Secretariat to implement “zero tolerance” to the letter.
I would like to highlight two specific points: 1) leadership, and 2) training and capacity-building.
Leadership
The efforts to strengthen the integrity as well as conduct and discipline of peacekeepers must start well before being dispatched, while at the national military and police of each troop- and police-contributing country. It requires long-term investment on and constant review of such measures as training, supervision and remedial actions in the national military and police. Such sustained efforts can only be achieved through strong and consistent leadership.
In this regard, Japan appreciates the initiatives of Secretary-General Guterres on the Circle of Leadership and the Voluntary Compact. Japan was one of the first countries to sign the Voluntary Compact and all its prime ministers, including the incumbent, have joined the Circle of Leadership since its launch. Japan is committed at the highest political level to further strengthen the conduct and discipline of peacekeepers including its own personnel and to end the impunity of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations.
Training and capacity building
The Japan Self-Defense Forces practices regular and persistent training and supervision to maintain high morale and conduct among their personnel. In addition, the Government of Japan provides all personnel designated to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping operations with intensive training on conduct and discipline before being dispatched.
Japan has also supported the enhancement of conduct and discipline of peacekeepers from other troop- and police-contributing countries through the development of E-learning courses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
Japan stands ready to continue to contribute to strengthening the conduct and discipline of UN peacekeepers.
I thank you.