Statement by Mr. NAMAZU Hiroyuki, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, PBC Ambassadorial-level meeting on Central Africa and COVID-19

Je vous remercie Monsieur le President,
 
Je remercie egalement SRSG Monsieur Fall, Monsieur Allam-Mi et Monsieur Ferdandez-Tarranco pour vos presentations detaillees sur la situation en Afrique centrale et les activites de l’UNOCA , l’ECCAS et les autres.
 
Je ne peut pas croire la nouvelle de deces du President Nkrunziza.  Une nouvelle si triste.
 
Since many issues that I consider important   were already pointed out by previous speakers, I will be very brief.
 
Compared with other sub-regions in Africa, the number of  COVID-19 cases in Central Africa is relatively small at this moment.  Japan commends all countries of the sub-region for responding swiftly to the virus.  However, one should not underestimate the risk of the virus spreading rapidly through communities and causing a serious human security crisis. 
 
We are also concerned with a new outbreak of Ebola in the DRC.  It is a sharp reminder that strengthening the capacity of national institutions including health systems is an urgent matter.  In addition, we have to protect large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. A dramatic spread of the COVID-19 infection, if it occurs, could impose devastating impacts on countries already affected by existing challenges. 
 
Facing the risk of COVID-19, we need increased solidarity at the international, regional, sub-regional, national and community levels.  Japan spares no effort in the fight against COVID-19.  Japan recently decided to provide at least 14 million USD to support countries in Central Africa in their fight against COVID-19 through UN agencies on the ground.
 
With regard to the political and security situation in Central Africa, Japan is observing carefully recent developments especially in Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic (CAR) and Burundi. 
 
Japan deplores that some parts of the region have experienced intensified attacks by Boko Haram despite the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire.  We need to rally around the SG’s call and collectively support the translation of this call into reality.
 
Through a series of COVID-19-related discussions at the PBC, we have come to notice the risk associated with the fragility of state institutions in Africa.  The impacts of COVID-19 in Africa are wide-ranging, and are not limited to those on health systems and food security, but they affect political institutions as well.  It is clear that any erosion of trust in public institutions, especially security institutions, will only exacerbate and further complicate these impacts.  
 
With that in mind, Japan will continue to support Africa-led conflict resolution efforts as well as institution building, under the banner of the “New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa”, or “NAPSA”, which was announced at 2019 TICAD7.
 
One example is our efforts in Cameroon, where Japan supports projects designed to prevent violent extremism by strengthening state capacity in the health and education sectors.  We continue to stand with people of the Central Africa region to the best of our ability.
 
Let me assure you, Mr. Chairperson, that Japan will continue to support the efforts of SRSG Fall and Mr. Allam-Mi to build peace and stability in Central Africa.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.