Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Secretary-General’s briefing on his report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace in the context of 2020 Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA) Review
2020/9/11
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this meeting and I highly appreciate the PGA of the 74th session.
I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and I also congratulate Ambassador Hawke of New Zealand and Ambassador King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for their assignment as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental consultations for 2020 Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA) Review.
I would like to make two points Japan believes important and had emphasized throughout the informal process until this summer: one is institution building and the other is partnership.
First, on the significance of institutions in the context of overcoming crisis and ensuring human security under the strengthened national ownership.
The PBA Review discussions in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic brought into light the need of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions for maintaining peaceful societies. The pandemic attacks weak institutions in health, education and other basic social services in every country and puts national leadership to the test. It also delays security sector reform in fragile and conflict-affected countries and shakes people’s trust in the government, which is critical for sustaining peace.
During the 2020 Review discussions at the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) this year, the Member States emphasized the importance of building inclusive and just institutions, as rightly captured in the Secretary-General’s report.
What can we do here at the United Nations Headquarters to advance the task of institution building on the ground and mobilize financial and technical support to that end? Japan believes revitalizing thematic discussions in the PBC is the key. Focusing on critical themes such as institution building and financing, and compiling lessons learned and good practices on each theme would strengthen the PBC's role as the platform and the center of excellence on peacebuilding. Japan is convinced that setting up theme-specific configurations is the right path.
Second, on the importance of broadening the partnership.
Coherent and coordinated engagement of the UN system across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is a “must” in designing the UN Peacebuilding Architecture. However, that is not enough, since the UN system is not the only actor in the peacebuilding endeavor on the ground. There is a need to improve partnerships with traditional and emerging bilateral donors, stakeholders of south-south cooperation and triangular cooperation, regional organizations, international financial institutions as well as civil society and the private sector.
Partnerships with these non-UN actors are also the key to strengthened financing for peacebuilding. However, to draw more resources from these partners into the work of the United Nations, the UN Peacebuilding Architecture must be coherent, efficient, and effective. It also needs to be fully accountable and transparent. The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is an effective tool to facilitate collaboration across the UN system, but to further strengthen its funding capacity, the PBF is expected to be more creative and explore untapped resources beyond the traditional donors.
In closing, let me reiterate Japan’s strong commitment to the formal phase of 2020 PBA Review. Japan will continue to be a strong supporter of the UN’s integrated approach to building and sustaining peace, and to ensuring human security.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for convening this meeting and I highly appreciate the PGA of the 74th session.
I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and I also congratulate Ambassador Hawke of New Zealand and Ambassador King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for their assignment as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental consultations for 2020 Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA) Review.
I would like to make two points Japan believes important and had emphasized throughout the informal process until this summer: one is institution building and the other is partnership.
First, on the significance of institutions in the context of overcoming crisis and ensuring human security under the strengthened national ownership.
The PBA Review discussions in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic brought into light the need of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions for maintaining peaceful societies. The pandemic attacks weak institutions in health, education and other basic social services in every country and puts national leadership to the test. It also delays security sector reform in fragile and conflict-affected countries and shakes people’s trust in the government, which is critical for sustaining peace.
During the 2020 Review discussions at the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) this year, the Member States emphasized the importance of building inclusive and just institutions, as rightly captured in the Secretary-General’s report.
What can we do here at the United Nations Headquarters to advance the task of institution building on the ground and mobilize financial and technical support to that end? Japan believes revitalizing thematic discussions in the PBC is the key. Focusing on critical themes such as institution building and financing, and compiling lessons learned and good practices on each theme would strengthen the PBC's role as the platform and the center of excellence on peacebuilding. Japan is convinced that setting up theme-specific configurations is the right path.
Second, on the importance of broadening the partnership.
Coherent and coordinated engagement of the UN system across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is a “must” in designing the UN Peacebuilding Architecture. However, that is not enough, since the UN system is not the only actor in the peacebuilding endeavor on the ground. There is a need to improve partnerships with traditional and emerging bilateral donors, stakeholders of south-south cooperation and triangular cooperation, regional organizations, international financial institutions as well as civil society and the private sector.
Partnerships with these non-UN actors are also the key to strengthened financing for peacebuilding. However, to draw more resources from these partners into the work of the United Nations, the UN Peacebuilding Architecture must be coherent, efficient, and effective. It also needs to be fully accountable and transparent. The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is an effective tool to facilitate collaboration across the UN system, but to further strengthen its funding capacity, the PBF is expected to be more creative and explore untapped resources beyond the traditional donors.
In closing, let me reiterate Japan’s strong commitment to the formal phase of 2020 PBA Review. Japan will continue to be a strong supporter of the UN’s integrated approach to building and sustaining peace, and to ensuring human security.
Thank you very much.