Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Security Council Open VTC on “Pandemics and Security”
2020/7/2
Mr. President,
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the German presidency, for organizing this Open Debate on pandemic and security, a timely and important topic for the Security Council, the United Nations and the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created not just a health crisis, but a serious human security crisis worldwide. Despite tireless efforts by many around the globe, it continues to spread across the borders and within the most vulnerable communities, damaging not only the peaceful societies but affecting the international peace and security as well.
Mr. President,
First of all, I cannot overemphasize the importance of global solidarity in the fight against this invisible enemy of mankind. Japan welcomes the adoption of the Security Council resolution in response to the COVID-19 and expects it will be respected in full by the relevant parties. This is not the time for people to fight against each other but time to get united to fight against common enemy. That is why Japan strongly supports the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and why we co-initiated the Statement in support for the appeal joined by 172 Member States and Observers. The Statement noted that we must “muster all our efforts to save lives and alleviate social and economic devastation on our peoples”.
It also recalls our obligation, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, to settle international disputes by peaceful means, which is much better than to call for ceasefire after the outbreak of military conflicts. Under the current circumstances, I should particularly stress the importance of rule of law and peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. When daunting challenges require us solidarity, it is out of the question to take advantage of the ongoing crisis and attempt to change the status quo by unilateral measures. Coercive actions need to be refrained as they inevitably divert attention away from the ongoing battle against our common enemy, COVID-19. Building on the appeal for a global ceasefire, we expect all relevant parties to take steady steps towards the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 has seriously affected peace in the societies by posing a multifaceted threat to the survival, livelihood and dignity of people, in particular the most vulnerable. Unless we ensure human security and restore peace in our communities, we cannot expect stable relationship between groups of people, including nations. Human security calls for people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of all people and all communities, leaving no one behind. Health being the most fundamental element of human security, Japan has long promoted global health agenda, including the fight against infectious diseases and supporting universal health coverage.
The responses to the Secretary-General’s UN75 survey from all over the world paint a clear picture of priorities in the time of COVID-19 and beyond:
Number one: universal access to healthcare;
Number two: strengthen solidarity between people and nations;
Number three: rethink the global economy against inequality.
COVID-19 has made it evident that achieving human security under greater collaboration and partnership to leave no one behind is of utmost importance today and in the days to come.
In response to the UN's appeal for humanitarian assistance, Japan decided as early as in March to provide approximately 140 million US dollars through six international organizations for technical and other assistance for medical professionals and others. In April, Japan further decided to provide additional assistance of over 1.4 billion US dollars to strengthen capacity in the health and medical fields, increase the flow of medical and other supplies to developing countries, and support vulnerable people including women and girls. Japan made a pledge of 300 million US dollars at the Global Vaccine Summit in June to accelerate access to vaccines.
Mr. President,
During his briefing to the Security Council in April, the Secretary-General pointed out that the first pressing risk in the face of COVID-19 was the erosion of trust in public institutions, “particularly if citizens perceive that their authorities mishandled the response or are not transparent on the scope of the crisis”. A society can be neither peaceful nor resilient unless people have trust both in their government and in each other. The pandemic has put this trust at stake, especially in already fragile and conflict-affected countries with weak institutions.
Effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, whether in the security and judicial sectors or in socio-economic fields, contribute to strengthening the government’s credibility, reducing vulnerability, ensuring human security and nurturing people’s confidence that their government is respectful toward their dignity. It is worthwhile considering stronger focus on institution building in the ongoing UN peacebuilding architecture review with the aim to realize more effective system-wide support to countries affected by conflict, including through enhanced cooperation between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission.
In conclusion, I would like to underscore that combating this pandemic requires greater international cooperation and solidarity, and a comprehensive and coordinated international response and that the United Nations should play a central role in this endeavor.
I thank you.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the German presidency, for organizing this Open Debate on pandemic and security, a timely and important topic for the Security Council, the United Nations and the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created not just a health crisis, but a serious human security crisis worldwide. Despite tireless efforts by many around the globe, it continues to spread across the borders and within the most vulnerable communities, damaging not only the peaceful societies but affecting the international peace and security as well.
Mr. President,
First of all, I cannot overemphasize the importance of global solidarity in the fight against this invisible enemy of mankind. Japan welcomes the adoption of the Security Council resolution in response to the COVID-19 and expects it will be respected in full by the relevant parties. This is not the time for people to fight against each other but time to get united to fight against common enemy. That is why Japan strongly supports the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and why we co-initiated the Statement in support for the appeal joined by 172 Member States and Observers. The Statement noted that we must “muster all our efforts to save lives and alleviate social and economic devastation on our peoples”.
It also recalls our obligation, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, to settle international disputes by peaceful means, which is much better than to call for ceasefire after the outbreak of military conflicts. Under the current circumstances, I should particularly stress the importance of rule of law and peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. When daunting challenges require us solidarity, it is out of the question to take advantage of the ongoing crisis and attempt to change the status quo by unilateral measures. Coercive actions need to be refrained as they inevitably divert attention away from the ongoing battle against our common enemy, COVID-19. Building on the appeal for a global ceasefire, we expect all relevant parties to take steady steps towards the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 has seriously affected peace in the societies by posing a multifaceted threat to the survival, livelihood and dignity of people, in particular the most vulnerable. Unless we ensure human security and restore peace in our communities, we cannot expect stable relationship between groups of people, including nations. Human security calls for people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of all people and all communities, leaving no one behind. Health being the most fundamental element of human security, Japan has long promoted global health agenda, including the fight against infectious diseases and supporting universal health coverage.
The responses to the Secretary-General’s UN75 survey from all over the world paint a clear picture of priorities in the time of COVID-19 and beyond:
Number one: universal access to healthcare;
Number two: strengthen solidarity between people and nations;
Number three: rethink the global economy against inequality.
COVID-19 has made it evident that achieving human security under greater collaboration and partnership to leave no one behind is of utmost importance today and in the days to come.
In response to the UN's appeal for humanitarian assistance, Japan decided as early as in March to provide approximately 140 million US dollars through six international organizations for technical and other assistance for medical professionals and others. In April, Japan further decided to provide additional assistance of over 1.4 billion US dollars to strengthen capacity in the health and medical fields, increase the flow of medical and other supplies to developing countries, and support vulnerable people including women and girls. Japan made a pledge of 300 million US dollars at the Global Vaccine Summit in June to accelerate access to vaccines.
Mr. President,
During his briefing to the Security Council in April, the Secretary-General pointed out that the first pressing risk in the face of COVID-19 was the erosion of trust in public institutions, “particularly if citizens perceive that their authorities mishandled the response or are not transparent on the scope of the crisis”. A society can be neither peaceful nor resilient unless people have trust both in their government and in each other. The pandemic has put this trust at stake, especially in already fragile and conflict-affected countries with weak institutions.
Effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, whether in the security and judicial sectors or in socio-economic fields, contribute to strengthening the government’s credibility, reducing vulnerability, ensuring human security and nurturing people’s confidence that their government is respectful toward their dignity. It is worthwhile considering stronger focus on institution building in the ongoing UN peacebuilding architecture review with the aim to realize more effective system-wide support to countries affected by conflict, including through enhanced cooperation between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission.
In conclusion, I would like to underscore that combating this pandemic requires greater international cooperation and solidarity, and a comprehensive and coordinated international response and that the United Nations should play a central role in this endeavor.
I thank you.