Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the UN Women Executive Board First Regular Session 2025 (Opening Session)
2025/2/10
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
It is an honour for Japan to serve as a Vice President of the Executive Board for this year of milestones for UN Women. Japan looks forward to working closely with the Board and Bureau Members under the leadership of the President and strengthening our partnership with UN Women.
I would like to make three points.
First, I would like to commend UN Women for working tirelessly to achieve the SDGs, and continuously responding to emerging crises, as mentioned by Madam Executive Director. UN Women’s triple mandate to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women is more important than ever. In response to the increasing needs of women and girls, Japan contributed over 25 million USD in total in 2024 to UN Women. Moreover, we will soon contribute approximately 9 million USD to the non-core budget to support projects globally. With the “Pivot to the Regions and Countries” initiative, Japan trusts that UN Women will optimize its resources and enhance the effectiveness of programmes. Further, Japan also trusts that UN Women will continue its implementation of the recommendations by the JIU, and looks forward to updates.
Second, twenty-five years since the adoption of the first Security Council resolution on WPS, the world faces ongoing conflicts, and the importance of implementing the WPS agenda is increasing. Last week, Japan, together with Norway as co-chairs of the WPS Focal Points Network, convened a capital level meeting in Tokyo. The participants had productive and meaningful discussions on various issues such as the development and implementation of National and Regional Action Plans, the role of women in peace mediation and peacebuilding, and elaboration of the WPS agenda, including its application to disaster risk reduction. Japan is grateful to all the participants, including Deputy Executive Director Ms. Kirsi Madi, for their contribution to the meeting. Japan also reaffirms its support to UN Women’s vital role in implementing the WPS agenda and wishes to work closely with the Board Members in this area as well.
Lastly, I would like to briefly touch on the upcoming CSW, which will focus on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It is an important occasion to review the progress of its implementation and also to reaffirm our commitments made in the Declaration and the Platform for Action, which was adopted unanimously thirty years ago. Japan looks forward to an active discussion with UN Women, Member States, and civil society partners during CSW69.
Thank you.
It is an honour for Japan to serve as a Vice President of the Executive Board for this year of milestones for UN Women. Japan looks forward to working closely with the Board and Bureau Members under the leadership of the President and strengthening our partnership with UN Women.
I would like to make three points.
First, I would like to commend UN Women for working tirelessly to achieve the SDGs, and continuously responding to emerging crises, as mentioned by Madam Executive Director. UN Women’s triple mandate to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women is more important than ever. In response to the increasing needs of women and girls, Japan contributed over 25 million USD in total in 2024 to UN Women. Moreover, we will soon contribute approximately 9 million USD to the non-core budget to support projects globally. With the “Pivot to the Regions and Countries” initiative, Japan trusts that UN Women will optimize its resources and enhance the effectiveness of programmes. Further, Japan also trusts that UN Women will continue its implementation of the recommendations by the JIU, and looks forward to updates.
Second, twenty-five years since the adoption of the first Security Council resolution on WPS, the world faces ongoing conflicts, and the importance of implementing the WPS agenda is increasing. Last week, Japan, together with Norway as co-chairs of the WPS Focal Points Network, convened a capital level meeting in Tokyo. The participants had productive and meaningful discussions on various issues such as the development and implementation of National and Regional Action Plans, the role of women in peace mediation and peacebuilding, and elaboration of the WPS agenda, including its application to disaster risk reduction. Japan is grateful to all the participants, including Deputy Executive Director Ms. Kirsi Madi, for their contribution to the meeting. Japan also reaffirms its support to UN Women’s vital role in implementing the WPS agenda and wishes to work closely with the Board Members in this area as well.
Lastly, I would like to briefly touch on the upcoming CSW, which will focus on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It is an important occasion to review the progress of its implementation and also to reaffirm our commitments made in the Declaration and the Platform for Action, which was adopted unanimously thirty years ago. Japan looks forward to an active discussion with UN Women, Member States, and civil society partners during CSW69.
Thank you.