Statement by Mr. MIYAMOTO Sogaku, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Plenary Meeting on Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
Japan is pleased to co-sponsor and join consensus on the three draft resolutions under Item 72, reaffirming the United Nations’ vital role in meeting global humanitarian needs.
 
Mr. President,
 
From Asia to the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, the Middle East and Latin America, the world continues to experience unprecedented levels of humanitarian needs.
 
Persistent challenges like food shortages, the impacts of climate change, conflicts, political turmoil, migration, displacement, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic often intertwine, exacerbating vulnerabilities and amplifying humanitarian needs. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis in the country with global implications.
 
 
Japan reemphasizes the need to adhere to humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law, ensuring the protection of civilians, including women, children, and those with disabilities, and guaranteeing full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
 
Acknowledging the 20th anniversary of the Canal Hotel attack, the UN headquarters in Iraq, Japan expresses its profound gratitude to humanitarians globally for their tireless, brave efforts in aiding those in need, despite increasing risks and threats. Japan remains committed to ensuring their safety and security.
 
Mr. President,
 
Japan has co-sponsored the draft resolution on Assistance to the Palestinian People. Japan will continue to support Palestine based on the three pillars of political dialogue, confidence-building, and economic assistance from the viewpoint of supporting a two-state solution.
 
Japan expresses its deepest concerns over the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the resumption of fighting, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations including in the southern Gaza Strip have resulted in very high civilian casualties.
 
All possible efforts must be accelerated to promptly arrive again at a humanitarian pause in order to secure the release of more hostages, and to allow for the continued vital supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
 
We must stop further deterioration. All parties must act faithfully based on UNSCR 2712 and comply with international law, including international humanitarian law.
 
As part of our humanitarian assistance efforts, Japan has　decided to provide a total of approximately 75 million US dollars in this regard.
 
Mr. President,
 
In light of growing needs, Japan unveiled a new Development Cooperation Charter this year, renewing our commitment to humanitarian endeavors.
 
Under this charter, Japan commits to flexible, high-quality contributions, including exploring cash transfers via international organizations and NGOs for more efficient aid. Accordingly, Japan intends to double its contribution to OCHA’s Country-Based Pooled Funds in 2024.
 
We also aim to accelerate decision-making and enhance collaboration with various non-governmental partners, especially in emergency humanitarian aid, to ensure faster, more reliable aid delivery, even in challenging intergovernmental contexts.
 
We are committed to delivering more prompt and effective emergency humanitarian assistance, including international aid during natural disasters and other emergencies.
 
Furthermore, we will tackle the causes of conflict and instability, offering continuous support for peacebuilding. Our approach links humanitarian aid, development, and peace initiatives to ensure human security.
 
Mr. President,
 
Japan also prioritizes the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in humanitarian settings. For example, Japan is committed to actively pursuing measures that support women’s and girl’s empowerment in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, particularly in countries facing crises or instability from conflicts or disasters. We will continue to advance gender-mainstreaming in this regard.
 
Mr. President,
 
With the staggering number of displaced individuals surpassing 114 million, the upcoming Second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva next week presents a crucial platform for the international community to address the issue of forcibly displaced people.
 
Japan, as one of the co-convenors of the GRF, has launched a multi-stakeholder pledge focused on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. Our objective is to engage a wide spectrum of contributors, harnessing their strengths to address humanitarian and refugee crises through a comprehensive "whole-of-society" approach.
 
We welcome all interested parties to participate in this collaborative endeavor.
 
Mr. President,
 
As one of the largest humanitarian donors, Japan has provided over 1.4 billion USD in humanitarian assistance in 2023. We remain committed to addressing the financial needs of humanitarian agencies.
 
I wish to reaffirm Japan's steadfast pledge to join forces with the Member States, the UN system and other stakeholders striving to elevate our humanitarian coordination and endeavors.
 
I thank you.