Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open VTC meeting on the theme “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Climate and Security”
2020/7/24
Mr. President,
I would like to express my appreciation to Germany for organizing this meeting on climate and security.
Climate change, just like COVID-19, poses threat to human security worldwide. It is a threat of another nature compared to armed conflicts that this Council has always dealt with. However, as recognized by the Security Council Resolution 2349 (2017) on the Lake Chad Basin Region, climate change and ecological changes, among other factors, does have adverse effects on the regional stability.
Japan regards climate change, just as it regards COVID-19, through the lens of human security. “The security implications of the effects of climate change” and “the climate-related security risk” referred to in the concept note should be measured, in Japan’s view, by the level of burden they impose on people’s survival, livelihood and dignity.
Adverse effects of climate change such as water scarcity, drought, desertification, land degradation, and food insecurity, hits severely the people in the Sahel and other arid regions. Sea level rise and the erosion of the coastlines threatens those in small island developing States (SIDS), particularly in the event of large tropical cyclones such as Cyclone Harold that hit the Pacific islands in April this year and Hurricane Dorian that ravaged the Caribbean coasts last summer. Citizens living in the temperate zone including Japan also suffer almost every year due to floods and landslide triggered by torrential rainfall. In every corner of the globe, climate-related natural disasters are compromising human security, and in some places where the communities lack resilience, they become multiplier of risk for peace and security.
In order to address various challenges to human security, including those that may cause social instability which could impact peace and security, we need people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of all people and all communities. We also need to consider and take comprehensive actions, beyond sectoral silos, taking full account of the interlinkages between peace and security, sustainable development, humanitarian needs and human rights.
Mr. President,
Recognizing that climate change is a threat to human security and global prosperity as well as one of the complex contemporary challenges to international peace and security, Japan has promoted dialogues with countries that are seriously affected through the processes of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) and Japan CARICOM framework. Japan committed to provide 1.3 trillion yen (around USD 11.8 billion) in 2020 to support developing countries affected by climate change.
In the effort to minimize the negative impact of climate change on human security and social stability, including the climate-related security risk, it is critical to take mid- to long-term measures towards sustainable development. Symptomatic treatment will not suffice to stop neither climate change nor conflict. Unless we build societies that are resilient, sustainable and free of inequality through the virtuous cycle of environment and growth, peace and security will not realize. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction serves as the most effective instrument to construct communities with resilience against natural hazards caused by climate change. Making best effort to implement 2030 Agenda, even in countries affected by conflict and placed under fragile situation, is the key for social stability.
To conclude, I wish to emphasize that the United Nations must play a leading role in furthering international cooperation for robust action against climate-related risks in all its aspects. Without any reservation, Japan will be an active partner in such endeavor.
Thank you.
I would like to express my appreciation to Germany for organizing this meeting on climate and security.
Climate change, just like COVID-19, poses threat to human security worldwide. It is a threat of another nature compared to armed conflicts that this Council has always dealt with. However, as recognized by the Security Council Resolution 2349 (2017) on the Lake Chad Basin Region, climate change and ecological changes, among other factors, does have adverse effects on the regional stability.
Japan regards climate change, just as it regards COVID-19, through the lens of human security. “The security implications of the effects of climate change” and “the climate-related security risk” referred to in the concept note should be measured, in Japan’s view, by the level of burden they impose on people’s survival, livelihood and dignity.
Adverse effects of climate change such as water scarcity, drought, desertification, land degradation, and food insecurity, hits severely the people in the Sahel and other arid regions. Sea level rise and the erosion of the coastlines threatens those in small island developing States (SIDS), particularly in the event of large tropical cyclones such as Cyclone Harold that hit the Pacific islands in April this year and Hurricane Dorian that ravaged the Caribbean coasts last summer. Citizens living in the temperate zone including Japan also suffer almost every year due to floods and landslide triggered by torrential rainfall. In every corner of the globe, climate-related natural disasters are compromising human security, and in some places where the communities lack resilience, they become multiplier of risk for peace and security.
In order to address various challenges to human security, including those that may cause social instability which could impact peace and security, we need people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of all people and all communities. We also need to consider and take comprehensive actions, beyond sectoral silos, taking full account of the interlinkages between peace and security, sustainable development, humanitarian needs and human rights.
Mr. President,
Recognizing that climate change is a threat to human security and global prosperity as well as one of the complex contemporary challenges to international peace and security, Japan has promoted dialogues with countries that are seriously affected through the processes of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) and Japan CARICOM framework. Japan committed to provide 1.3 trillion yen (around USD 11.8 billion) in 2020 to support developing countries affected by climate change.
In the effort to minimize the negative impact of climate change on human security and social stability, including the climate-related security risk, it is critical to take mid- to long-term measures towards sustainable development. Symptomatic treatment will not suffice to stop neither climate change nor conflict. Unless we build societies that are resilient, sustainable and free of inequality through the virtuous cycle of environment and growth, peace and security will not realize. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction serves as the most effective instrument to construct communities with resilience against natural hazards caused by climate change. Making best effort to implement 2030 Agenda, even in countries affected by conflict and placed under fragile situation, is the key for social stability.
To conclude, I wish to emphasize that the United Nations must play a leading role in furthering international cooperation for robust action against climate-related risks in all its aspects. Without any reservation, Japan will be an active partner in such endeavor.
Thank you.