Statement by Mr. NAKAGAWA Shu, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Joint briefing of the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council
2023/1/19
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President.
At the outset, I would like to express Japan’s gratitude to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the ECOSOC for convening this joint briefing.
Mr. President,
While we face multi-faceted challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, food and energy insecurity, and climate change, this year we will have a series of important meetings to accelerate our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, as the President mentioned.
First, UN 2023 Water Conference will be held in March. Japan has been actively engaging in the preparatory process of the Conference, especially in the area of climate change and resilience. Water-related disasters such as floods and droughts have been intensifying due to climate change in many countries. Acknowledging the issue, Prime Minister Kishida announced the Kumamoto Initiative for Water at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit last April, through which Japan commits to provide financial assistance worth approximately 500 billion yen over the next five years.
Second, the High-Level Meeting of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework to be held here in New York in May will be an important opportunity to promote disaster risk reduction. It is the last chance before 2030 to identify and begin to implement the innovative solutions, policies, and course-corrections needed to prevent and prepare for the new and emerging risks that threaten current and future generations.
Third, this year the SDG Summit will take place in September, and the Future Summit will be held next year. Japan presented its second Voluntary National Review at the High-Level Political Forum in 2021. Since then, Japan has been working with the international community based on the principle of human security to realize a society where the SDGs have been achieved and "no one is left behind".
The outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit (TES) held last September are the results of such efforts made by many member states. We need to continue our efforts towards the SDG Summit. Japan will actively engage in the preparation process for those Summits to generate momentum and stimulate further actions and cooperation for the realization of SDGs.
Finally, I would like to refer to the Universal Health Coverage High Level Meeting and other health related high-level meetings. Japan has been working as one of the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage, which has now grown to include 68 Member States. We will continue to work towards the success of the Universal Health Coverage high-level meeting, Tuberculosis high-level meeting and PPR high-level meeting working closely with other health-related Friends groups under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage.
Mr. President,
Solidarity and trust among people, underpinned by the agency of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices, are key enablers of our collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. From this view point, I would like to emphasize the overarching importance of human security. Japan will continue to work with the United Nations to deepen the discussion on human security in this new era of multifaceted uncertainties.
Mr. President,
In closing, I would like to reiterate Japan’s willingness to contribute constructively to the work of both the General Assembly and ECOSOC during this essential session. We will collaborate closely with both Presidents and our fellow Member States to this end.
I thank you.
At the outset, I would like to express Japan’s gratitude to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the ECOSOC for convening this joint briefing.
Mr. President,
While we face multi-faceted challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, food and energy insecurity, and climate change, this year we will have a series of important meetings to accelerate our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, as the President mentioned.
First, UN 2023 Water Conference will be held in March. Japan has been actively engaging in the preparatory process of the Conference, especially in the area of climate change and resilience. Water-related disasters such as floods and droughts have been intensifying due to climate change in many countries. Acknowledging the issue, Prime Minister Kishida announced the Kumamoto Initiative for Water at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit last April, through which Japan commits to provide financial assistance worth approximately 500 billion yen over the next five years.
Second, the High-Level Meeting of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework to be held here in New York in May will be an important opportunity to promote disaster risk reduction. It is the last chance before 2030 to identify and begin to implement the innovative solutions, policies, and course-corrections needed to prevent and prepare for the new and emerging risks that threaten current and future generations.
Third, this year the SDG Summit will take place in September, and the Future Summit will be held next year. Japan presented its second Voluntary National Review at the High-Level Political Forum in 2021. Since then, Japan has been working with the international community based on the principle of human security to realize a society where the SDGs have been achieved and "no one is left behind".
The outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit (TES) held last September are the results of such efforts made by many member states. We need to continue our efforts towards the SDG Summit. Japan will actively engage in the preparation process for those Summits to generate momentum and stimulate further actions and cooperation for the realization of SDGs.
Finally, I would like to refer to the Universal Health Coverage High Level Meeting and other health related high-level meetings. Japan has been working as one of the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage, which has now grown to include 68 Member States. We will continue to work towards the success of the Universal Health Coverage high-level meeting, Tuberculosis high-level meeting and PPR high-level meeting working closely with other health-related Friends groups under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage.
Mr. President,
Solidarity and trust among people, underpinned by the agency of individuals to act independently and make their own free choices, are key enablers of our collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. From this view point, I would like to emphasize the overarching importance of human security. Japan will continue to work with the United Nations to deepen the discussion on human security in this new era of multifaceted uncertainties.
Mr. President,
In closing, I would like to reiterate Japan’s willingness to contribute constructively to the work of both the General Assembly and ECOSOC during this essential session. We will collaborate closely with both Presidents and our fellow Member States to this end.
I thank you.