Statement by H.E. Ambassador OSUGA Takeshi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council High-Level Open Debate on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Security in the Context of Terrorism and Climate Change" (With partial English translation / Partially in French)
2021/12/9
Mr. President,
Allow me to start by thanking you for holding this important meeting. Japan appreciates the contribution of Niger as non-permanent member of the Council.
Today’s security landscape has become increasingly complex. Terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and security in many parts of the world including the Sahel. In the conflict-prone areas, human insecurity, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, such as environmental degradation and natural disasters, becomes multiplier of risk of violent conflict.
One thing is common between terrorism and climate change: they are both posing serious threat to human security, to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of people. Japan has formulated its policy of assistance to conflict-prone areas with the human security approach to protect and empower people, and to build resilience of communities. More attention should be paid to the human dimension of our security paradigm by putting people at its centre.
[Mr. President,
Having both terrorism and climate change in mind, I would like to emphasize the importance of conflict prevention through institution-building at the national and local levels. In our view, effective, accountable and inclusive institutions are the best safeguard against various security risks today. Let me explain why.
First, effective and impartial institutions in the security and judicial sectors are the key to the rule of law and fight against impunity. Japan provided in 2021 approximately 3 million US dollars each to Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad to enhance their capacities in the security sector. Since 2013, Japan has been supporting seven countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Niger, to build credible criminal justice institutions through the training of police, prosecutors and judges to enhance their expertise in fair, efficient, and speedy criminal justice processes. Capacity building of personnel who manage and utilize institutions is an integral part of institution-building.
Second, building institutions in the social sector that can ensure equal access to basic services will contribute to addressing the root causes of conflict and terrorism. For example, Japan has been promoting primary education programme named “School for All” that actively engages all members of a community in decision making processes to manage a school system together. Having started in Niger in 2004, this initiative has built or improved 53,000 schools in eight African countries in partnership with the World Bank and civil society organizations.
Japan has committed to ramp up its support to institution-building in Africa by launching the “New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA)” at TICAD7 in 2019 which aims at assisting to make judicial, administrative and legislative systems stable and secure, so that nation building does not move backward as a result of conflict. In relation to climate change, Japan will continue to support countries most severely affected in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, in their efforts to strengthen resilience including through building institutional capacities. ]
Mr. President,
It is evident that the United Nations system should break silos and respond in a comprehensive and seamless manner in dealing with today’s security challenges that encompass the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. In this respect, the role of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) should be further explored to realize a holistic approach under the UN system-wide coordination and partnerships beyond the UN system. The Security Council should make use of the PBC’s advice to mobilize the whole UN system to address multifaceted security challenges.
Let me conclude by reaffirming Japan’s readiness to play its part in the global effort to respond to the evolving security challenges.
Thank you.
Allow me to start by thanking you for holding this important meeting. Japan appreciates the contribution of Niger as non-permanent member of the Council.
Today’s security landscape has become increasingly complex. Terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and security in many parts of the world including the Sahel. In the conflict-prone areas, human insecurity, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, such as environmental degradation and natural disasters, becomes multiplier of risk of violent conflict.
One thing is common between terrorism and climate change: they are both posing serious threat to human security, to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of people. Japan has formulated its policy of assistance to conflict-prone areas with the human security approach to protect and empower people, and to build resilience of communities. More attention should be paid to the human dimension of our security paradigm by putting people at its centre.
[Mr. President,
Having both terrorism and climate change in mind, I would like to emphasize the importance of conflict prevention through institution-building at the national and local levels. In our view, effective, accountable and inclusive institutions are the best safeguard against various security risks today. Let me explain why.
First, effective and impartial institutions in the security and judicial sectors are the key to the rule of law and fight against impunity. Japan provided in 2021 approximately 3 million US dollars each to Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad to enhance their capacities in the security sector. Since 2013, Japan has been supporting seven countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Niger, to build credible criminal justice institutions through the training of police, prosecutors and judges to enhance their expertise in fair, efficient, and speedy criminal justice processes. Capacity building of personnel who manage and utilize institutions is an integral part of institution-building.
Second, building institutions in the social sector that can ensure equal access to basic services will contribute to addressing the root causes of conflict and terrorism. For example, Japan has been promoting primary education programme named “School for All” that actively engages all members of a community in decision making processes to manage a school system together. Having started in Niger in 2004, this initiative has built or improved 53,000 schools in eight African countries in partnership with the World Bank and civil society organizations.
Japan has committed to ramp up its support to institution-building in Africa by launching the “New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA)” at TICAD7 in 2019 which aims at assisting to make judicial, administrative and legislative systems stable and secure, so that nation building does not move backward as a result of conflict. In relation to climate change, Japan will continue to support countries most severely affected in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, in their efforts to strengthen resilience including through building institutional capacities. ]
Mr. President,
It is evident that the United Nations system should break silos and respond in a comprehensive and seamless manner in dealing with today’s security challenges that encompass the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. In this respect, the role of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) should be further explored to realize a holistic approach under the UN system-wide coordination and partnerships beyond the UN system. The Security Council should make use of the PBC’s advice to mobilize the whole UN system to address multifaceted security challenges.
Let me conclude by reaffirming Japan’s readiness to play its part in the global effort to respond to the evolving security challenges.
Thank you.