Statement by H.E. Ambassador SHINO Mitsuko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Meeting on “the Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine”
2023/7/26
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
I thank ASG Khiari for his briefing.
After Russia's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week, its aggression against Ukraine continues and has intensified in some cases. Russia has used heavy weaponry to target civilian infrastructure including grain stores in Odesa. It has also launched drone attacks on grain storage facilities in Reni, which is located around 200 meters from Romania, across the Danube.
Moreover, Russia has unjustly marked all vessels bound for Ukrainian ports as potential conveyors of military cargo, which means that Ukrainian grain facilities and civilian shipping across the Black Sea may also be targeted. It is reported that Russia has placed more sea mines near Ukrainian ports.
Russia's reprehensible actions clearly demonstrate their strategy of using global food supplies as a weapon, relentlessly causing severe consequences upon those vulnerable across the world. After Russia's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, it has been reported that the grain prices have rapidly hiked.
The Council must do everything we can to alleviate the situation at the earliest. Japan once again condemns Russia’s actions and taking the rest of the world hostage, while blaming others for the crises it has created by its aggression. We also recall that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.
Madam President,
The aggression's grievous impact on civilians is compounded by Russia's recent missile strike on Odesa that resulted in civilian causalities and damaged a number of significant cultural sites, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, which are protected under the World Heritage Convention.
According to UNESCO, as many as 270 cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged since Russia's onset of hostilities, including religious sites, museums, historically significant buildings, monuments, libraries, and more. Cultural heritage embodies not only a nation's unique identity and history but also that of humanity at large. Hence, assaults on and damage to cultural heritage equate to assaults on the distinctive identities of people.
Japan reasserts that any harm to cultural heritage is utterly unacceptable and strongly urges all parties involved to honor all pertinent international instruments, including Security Council resolution 2347 and the UNESCO 1954 Hague Convention along with its two protocols.
Madam President,
We extend our gratitude to UNESCO for its unwavering support to the Ukrainian authorities in safeguarding Ukraine's cultural heritage. Japan has contributed over 4.5 million USD to UNESCO to assist their activities in Ukraine, such as enabling satellite monitoring of priority sites and the repair of damaged locales. Our commitment to support Ukraine in protecting and preserving its cultural heritage and properties remains steadfast.
Let us be unequivocal. The global and Ukrainian suffering is the result of Russia's unprovoked aggression. Russia must stop it, and withdraw its troops and military equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally.
I thank you, Madam President.
I thank ASG Khiari for his briefing.
After Russia's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week, its aggression against Ukraine continues and has intensified in some cases. Russia has used heavy weaponry to target civilian infrastructure including grain stores in Odesa. It has also launched drone attacks on grain storage facilities in Reni, which is located around 200 meters from Romania, across the Danube.
Moreover, Russia has unjustly marked all vessels bound for Ukrainian ports as potential conveyors of military cargo, which means that Ukrainian grain facilities and civilian shipping across the Black Sea may also be targeted. It is reported that Russia has placed more sea mines near Ukrainian ports.
Russia's reprehensible actions clearly demonstrate their strategy of using global food supplies as a weapon, relentlessly causing severe consequences upon those vulnerable across the world. After Russia's termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, it has been reported that the grain prices have rapidly hiked.
The Council must do everything we can to alleviate the situation at the earliest. Japan once again condemns Russia’s actions and taking the rest of the world hostage, while blaming others for the crises it has created by its aggression. We also recall that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.
Madam President,
The aggression's grievous impact on civilians is compounded by Russia's recent missile strike on Odesa that resulted in civilian causalities and damaged a number of significant cultural sites, including the Transfiguration Cathedral, which are protected under the World Heritage Convention.
According to UNESCO, as many as 270 cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged since Russia's onset of hostilities, including religious sites, museums, historically significant buildings, monuments, libraries, and more. Cultural heritage embodies not only a nation's unique identity and history but also that of humanity at large. Hence, assaults on and damage to cultural heritage equate to assaults on the distinctive identities of people.
Japan reasserts that any harm to cultural heritage is utterly unacceptable and strongly urges all parties involved to honor all pertinent international instruments, including Security Council resolution 2347 and the UNESCO 1954 Hague Convention along with its two protocols.
Madam President,
We extend our gratitude to UNESCO for its unwavering support to the Ukrainian authorities in safeguarding Ukraine's cultural heritage. Japan has contributed over 4.5 million USD to UNESCO to assist their activities in Ukraine, such as enabling satellite monitoring of priority sites and the repair of damaged locales. Our commitment to support Ukraine in protecting and preserving its cultural heritage and properties remains steadfast.
Let us be unequivocal. The global and Ukrainian suffering is the result of Russia's unprovoked aggression. Russia must stop it, and withdraw its troops and military equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally.
I thank you, Madam President.