Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the 2021 Joint ECOSOC-PBC Annual Meeting “Promoting Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic”
2021/12/15
(As delivered)
Thank you, Collen and Osama.
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its tremendous adverse socioeconomic impacts, has undermined human security, making today’s security landscape even more complex, particularly in fragile and conflict-prone settings.
I would like to share Japan’s view on how we can better achieve synergy between the efforts for durable peace and for sustainable development in the context of recovery from the pandemic. The PBC and ECOSOC together have a crucial role to play. Allow me to highlight four important points in this regard.
First, we need to place people at the center. The ultimate goal of our peacebuilding endeavors is to ensure human security and prosperity. This means that all people are protected and empowered with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights. It also implies that all segments of society, including women, youth and marginalized groups, are enabled to participate fully, equally and in a meaningful manner in the society.
Second, we must focus on prevention. Merely responding to conflict after its occurrence or recurrence does not suffice. We must address the root causes and drivers of conflict, such as inequality, exclusion, climate change and global health, including COVID-19.
Third, people’s trust. Trust is key. During the pandemic, people’s trust in their governments has been severely affected in many countries. Japan has been emphasizing the need to establish effective, accountable and inclusive institutions to gain or regain trust in governments in conflict-prone countries. This includes security and judicial institutions to ensure the rule of law and protection of human rights, as well as social systems to ensure equal access to basic social services.
Fourth, partnerships should be strengthened. The UN entities must deliver as one in a coherent and coordinated manner, and build partnerships with non-UN actors, including the international financial institutions (IFIs), regional organizations, civil society, private sector and bilateral donors. Transparency of the work of all actors is of critical importance.
Japan believes in the greater catalytic role that the PBC can potentially play by bringing together different UN entities and non-UN partners for the shared objective of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The PBC can be the hinge between the two important Charter organs, the Security Council and ECOSOC.
Let me conclude by making two concrete suggestions aiming to strengthen the collaboration between the PBC and ECOSOC.
First, the two organs might hold more frequently joint discussions on thematic topics such as gender, youth, institution-building, financing, and climate change to seek synergy and avoid duplication.
Second, ECOSOC could seek the PBC’s advice more regularly to incorporate peacebuilding perspective in its work. One good practice developed this year is the PBC’s briefing to the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA). Such knowledge sharing with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies should be further promoted.
I thank you very much.
The COVID-19 pandemic, with its tremendous adverse socioeconomic impacts, has undermined human security, making today’s security landscape even more complex, particularly in fragile and conflict-prone settings.
I would like to share Japan’s view on how we can better achieve synergy between the efforts for durable peace and for sustainable development in the context of recovery from the pandemic. The PBC and ECOSOC together have a crucial role to play. Allow me to highlight four important points in this regard.
First, we need to place people at the center. The ultimate goal of our peacebuilding endeavors is to ensure human security and prosperity. This means that all people are protected and empowered with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights. It also implies that all segments of society, including women, youth and marginalized groups, are enabled to participate fully, equally and in a meaningful manner in the society.
Second, we must focus on prevention. Merely responding to conflict after its occurrence or recurrence does not suffice. We must address the root causes and drivers of conflict, such as inequality, exclusion, climate change and global health, including COVID-19.
Third, people’s trust. Trust is key. During the pandemic, people’s trust in their governments has been severely affected in many countries. Japan has been emphasizing the need to establish effective, accountable and inclusive institutions to gain or regain trust in governments in conflict-prone countries. This includes security and judicial institutions to ensure the rule of law and protection of human rights, as well as social systems to ensure equal access to basic social services.
Fourth, partnerships should be strengthened. The UN entities must deliver as one in a coherent and coordinated manner, and build partnerships with non-UN actors, including the international financial institutions (IFIs), regional organizations, civil society, private sector and bilateral donors. Transparency of the work of all actors is of critical importance.
Japan believes in the greater catalytic role that the PBC can potentially play by bringing together different UN entities and non-UN partners for the shared objective of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The PBC can be the hinge between the two important Charter organs, the Security Council and ECOSOC.
Let me conclude by making two concrete suggestions aiming to strengthen the collaboration between the PBC and ECOSOC.
First, the two organs might hold more frequently joint discussions on thematic topics such as gender, youth, institution-building, financing, and climate change to seek synergy and avoid duplication.
Second, ECOSOC could seek the PBC’s advice more regularly to incorporate peacebuilding perspective in its work. One good practice developed this year is the PBC’s briefing to the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA). Such knowledge sharing with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies should be further promoted.
I thank you very much.