Statement by H.E. Ambassador SHINO Mitsuko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the use of the veto [item 60]
2023/4/26
(As delivered)
Mr. President,
As a co-sponsor of resolution A/RES/76/262 adopted by the General Assembly on this date one year ago, Japan would like to reiterate the significance of this so-called “veto initiative.” Based on this resolution, vetoes must now be explained to the entire UN membership at the General Assembly. The permanent members of the Security Council now assume a higher level of accountability commensurate with their heavier responsibilities.
The veto is such a powerful prerogative that a permanent Council member must exercise it with the sole purpose of maintaining international peace and security. The difficulty the Council has had in making decisions due to the excessive use or threat of use of the veto on issues of paramount importance for the world defies the high expectations of the entire UN membership and undermines the legitimacy of the Council itself.
In this regard, we welcome the commitment of France, the U.K., and the U.S. to voluntarily refrain from use of the veto in the Council except in rare and extraordinary circumstances, and we hope that the remaining permanent members will join them. We recall in this context the ACT Code of Conduct and the French-Mexican Initiative on the suspension of the veto in cases of mass atrocities. Member States can work together to explore further ideas for increasing the credibility of this Organization.
Mr. President,
As we mark one year since that historic day, Japan believes we must go even further to make the United Nations more effective. We need to advance negotiations on the reform of the Security Council. Real reform of the Council requires an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, and new permanent members should have the same responsibilities and obligations that the current permanent members do. We are committed to working with all UN Member States to strengthen the UN in a constructive manner.
I thank you.
As a co-sponsor of resolution A/RES/76/262 adopted by the General Assembly on this date one year ago, Japan would like to reiterate the significance of this so-called “veto initiative.” Based on this resolution, vetoes must now be explained to the entire UN membership at the General Assembly. The permanent members of the Security Council now assume a higher level of accountability commensurate with their heavier responsibilities.
The veto is such a powerful prerogative that a permanent Council member must exercise it with the sole purpose of maintaining international peace and security. The difficulty the Council has had in making decisions due to the excessive use or threat of use of the veto on issues of paramount importance for the world defies the high expectations of the entire UN membership and undermines the legitimacy of the Council itself.
In this regard, we welcome the commitment of France, the U.K., and the U.S. to voluntarily refrain from use of the veto in the Council except in rare and extraordinary circumstances, and we hope that the remaining permanent members will join them. We recall in this context the ACT Code of Conduct and the French-Mexican Initiative on the suspension of the veto in cases of mass atrocities. Member States can work together to explore further ideas for increasing the credibility of this Organization.
Mr. President,
As we mark one year since that historic day, Japan believes we must go even further to make the United Nations more effective. We need to advance negotiations on the reform of the Security Council. Real reform of the Council requires an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, and new permanent members should have the same responsibilities and obligations that the current permanent members do. We are committed to working with all UN Member States to strengthen the UN in a constructive manner.
I thank you.