Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the 2020 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
2020/7/7
Madame President,
Excellencies and dear colleagues,
The COVID-19 has negatively impacted our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. It threatens the entire spectrum of human lives; the survival, livelihood and dignity of each one of us.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, Japan demonstrated solidarity by providing assistance to developing countries, in partnership with the UN. It includes measures to strengthen the health systems and to support the international efforts in the field of therapeutics and vaccines.
Universal health coverage (UHC) under the resilient and effective health systems is one of the most critical factors in combatting COVID-19. It will remain critical for preventing the recurrence of any future pandemic and minimizing its social and economic impacts. It is with such strategic thinking that Japan will co-host with Georgia, Thailand and the WHO a side event on UHC on Thursday.
UHC is critical, but one of many elements needed to save ourselves from the ongoing human security crisis. COVID-19 is seriously damaging people’s livelihood and dignity as well, and we have not yet found a clear way out. In crawling forward through this unprecedented and unpredictable path, we need to keep always “people” at the center.
Ensure transparency. Empower people with information they need to protect themselves. Respect the dignity of individuals while fighting against the virus. Break the silos of bureaucracy for a system-wide support. Build trust between authorities and people with reliable institutions.
These are, Madame President, the logical conclusions drawn from the human security concept we promote to tackle the ongoing crisis and to build back better the world of the post-COVID era.
I thank you.
Excellencies and dear colleagues,
The COVID-19 has negatively impacted our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. It threatens the entire spectrum of human lives; the survival, livelihood and dignity of each one of us.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, Japan demonstrated solidarity by providing assistance to developing countries, in partnership with the UN. It includes measures to strengthen the health systems and to support the international efforts in the field of therapeutics and vaccines.
Universal health coverage (UHC) under the resilient and effective health systems is one of the most critical factors in combatting COVID-19. It will remain critical for preventing the recurrence of any future pandemic and minimizing its social and economic impacts. It is with such strategic thinking that Japan will co-host with Georgia, Thailand and the WHO a side event on UHC on Thursday.
UHC is critical, but one of many elements needed to save ourselves from the ongoing human security crisis. COVID-19 is seriously damaging people’s livelihood and dignity as well, and we have not yet found a clear way out. In crawling forward through this unprecedented and unpredictable path, we need to keep always “people” at the center.
Ensure transparency. Empower people with information they need to protect themselves. Respect the dignity of individuals while fighting against the virus. Break the silos of bureaucracy for a system-wide support. Build trust between authorities and people with reliable institutions.
These are, Madame President, the logical conclusions drawn from the human security concept we promote to tackle the ongoing crisis and to build back better the world of the post-COVID era.
I thank you.