Statement by H.E. Ambassador SHINO Mitsuko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Explanation of Vote at the Security Council Meeting for the Adoption of the Resolution on UN Assistance to AUPSOs

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I would like to start by thanking and congratulating the A3 for their initiative in crafting this important resolution. It truly shows African ownership.
 
Japan has voted in favour since we believe this resolution will contribute to addressing the perennial challenge of enhancing the predictability, sustainability, and flexibility of financing for African Union-led peace support operations (AUPSOs), and thus support and promote the ownership of African countries in their efforts for sustainable resolution of conflicts in Africa. From now on, the Council will consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for financing AUPSOs under Chapters VII and VIII of the Charter to access UN assessed contributions with certain conditions.
 
Japan fully engaged in the consultations to ensure that the established mechanism will be rightly placed in the UN collective security system, and we believe the points we made throughout the process should be highlighted for future consideration of any specific authorization of AUPSOs as well. Those  points include prioritization of conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes, close UN-AU coordination in joint planning, mandating, appropriate burden-sharing, proper oversight and accountability, and strict observance of Human Rights Due Diligence Policy as well as the conduct and discipline compliance framework.
 
In particular, we saw divergent views at the negotiation on how to share the costs between the UN and the AU. In this regard, Japan proposed a clearer language which reflects AU’s stronger ownership in operationalizing prospective AUPSOs. 
 
This framework resolution lays out general guidelines for the future course of actions for the UN Security Council and the AUPSC. The details need to be elaborated further in each case of authorization of an AUPSO, including an appropriate burden sharing model.
 
We remain committed to further consultations with all stakeholders on possible assistance to AUPSOs.
 
I thank you.