Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, for the Security Council Open VTC on “UNAMA”
2020/9/3
Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this open VTC on Afghanistan. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ms. Deborah Lyons for her briefing and the tireless efforts to lead UNAMA under the challenging environment due to the COVID19 pandemic.
At the outset, let me express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives due to the damage caused by heavy rain and flash floods in eastern Afghanistan last week. My sincere wishes for the early recovery of the afflicted areas.
Mr. President,
Achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan is of paramount importance not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for the stability of the region and the whole world. Japan supports an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace process and appreciates the continued efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its partners to commence an Intra-Afghan Negotiation. We hear reports that the start of the negotiation is imminent, and hope that it will begin at an earliest possible time and, once started, will produce concrete outcome in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. We welcome, in this respect, the announcement of the full cabinet nominations by the Afghan government earlier this week. Japan stands ready to play a constructive role in creating a conducive environment for the peace process to move forward in partnership with the international community.
As we await further progress in the peace process, we continue to see an unbearable human toll of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned about unabated violence in certain parts of the country. Japan reiterates its support for the United Nations Secretary General’s call for a global ceasefire, which has been supported by the statement of around 170 Member States and the resolution of the Security Council, and hopes that this call will be observed by all parties in Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
Sustainable peace in Afghanistan can only be achieved through the efforts of the Government and people of Afghanistan towards self-reliance in partnership with members of the regional and international community. Japan commends the initiative of the Governments of Afghanistan and Finland as well as the United Nations to review the progress made under the Geneva Mutual Accountability Framework and to prepare for the upcoming pledging conference in November.
As Afghanistan’s longstanding partner, Japan continues to be fully committed to supporting its reconstruction and nation building efforts. As a sign of this commitment, this year, Japan has already provided around 110 million US dollars, including to assist the nationwide response to the COVID19 pandemic.
Key areas that necessitate international support are health, education, and infrastructure, as well as security service delivery. Vulnerable population such as returnees and IDPs as well as women and children have to be protected and empowered. More need to be done in the field of human resource development and institution building to realize good governance, rule of law, and fight against corruption. They are the prerequisites for ensuring human security, constructing resilient society and achieving self-reliance.
In concluding my remarks, I reiterate Japan’s commitment to continued support for peace and development in Afghanistan.
Thank you.
I thank you for convening this open VTC on Afghanistan. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ms. Deborah Lyons for her briefing and the tireless efforts to lead UNAMA under the challenging environment due to the COVID19 pandemic.
At the outset, let me express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives due to the damage caused by heavy rain and flash floods in eastern Afghanistan last week. My sincere wishes for the early recovery of the afflicted areas.
Mr. President,
Achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan is of paramount importance not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for the stability of the region and the whole world. Japan supports an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace process and appreciates the continued efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its partners to commence an Intra-Afghan Negotiation. We hear reports that the start of the negotiation is imminent, and hope that it will begin at an earliest possible time and, once started, will produce concrete outcome in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. We welcome, in this respect, the announcement of the full cabinet nominations by the Afghan government earlier this week. Japan stands ready to play a constructive role in creating a conducive environment for the peace process to move forward in partnership with the international community.
As we await further progress in the peace process, we continue to see an unbearable human toll of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned about unabated violence in certain parts of the country. Japan reiterates its support for the United Nations Secretary General’s call for a global ceasefire, which has been supported by the statement of around 170 Member States and the resolution of the Security Council, and hopes that this call will be observed by all parties in Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
Sustainable peace in Afghanistan can only be achieved through the efforts of the Government and people of Afghanistan towards self-reliance in partnership with members of the regional and international community. Japan commends the initiative of the Governments of Afghanistan and Finland as well as the United Nations to review the progress made under the Geneva Mutual Accountability Framework and to prepare for the upcoming pledging conference in November.
As Afghanistan’s longstanding partner, Japan continues to be fully committed to supporting its reconstruction and nation building efforts. As a sign of this commitment, this year, Japan has already provided around 110 million US dollars, including to assist the nationwide response to the COVID19 pandemic.
Key areas that necessitate international support are health, education, and infrastructure, as well as security service delivery. Vulnerable population such as returnees and IDPs as well as women and children have to be protected and empowered. More need to be done in the field of human resource development and institution building to realize good governance, rule of law, and fight against corruption. They are the prerequisites for ensuring human security, constructing resilient society and achieving self-reliance.
In concluding my remarks, I reiterate Japan’s commitment to continued support for peace and development in Afghanistan.
Thank you.