Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Briefing by Secretary-General on UN80 Restructuring

Madam Chair,
Mr. Secretary-General,

In addressing this historic UN80 initiative in front of us, Japan reaffirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter as well as to the shared responsibility of ensuring that this Organization become more effective, efficient, and fit for purpose in the 21st century.

In this regard, we believe it is imperative to streamline the Organization through meaningful structural reform, and Japan strongly support SG's efforts toward UN80 initiative.

We recognize that there are institutional issues that must be addressed, particularly in terms of enhancing efficiency and eliminating duplication. Japan will engage constructively and provide specific comments on these issues across thematic areas as discussions proceed.

We acknowledge that the United Nations must continue to fulfill its core mandates—namely, peace and security, development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. These pillars remain essential to the Organization’s legitimacy and relevance. That said, we must also ensure that each of these areas is implemented with further efficiency and effectiveness. In doing so, the issue of under-representation among Member States must be addressed and the RC system must be fully utilized. We will comment individually on each sector in due course.

In order to reflect tangible progress of UN80 initiative in the 2027 program budget, we must achieve concrete outcomes in 2026. Furthermore, any early results—so-called “early harvests”—should be incorporated into planning and budgeting processes as soon as they are available, so that momentum is enhanced and reform becomes a reality.

I thank you.