Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Arria Formula Meeting: “Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives”
2025/5/23
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Access to water is essential for human survival, dignity, and security. Issues related to water are interlinked with conflict in complex ways, amplifying global risks and threatening international peace and security.
Water-related services and infrastructure are unequivocally protected under international humanitarian law (IHL). Japan calls on all parties to conflict to uphold and comply with IHL, as well as Security Council resolutions 2417 and 2573. Access to humanitarian assistance that provides water-related services should never be impeded.
Japan is committed to protecting the dignity of all civilians, particularly those who experience the disproportionate effects of restricted access to water under armed conflicts, such as women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
At present, Japan is providing humanitarian assistance for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and the procurement of water service equipment in several conflict affected areas, including Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Furthermore, for many years, Japan has been supporting projects to improve the stability of conflict-affected areas and the well-being of civilians by strengthening public services, including water services, based on a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach.
Mr. Chair,
We must not allow civilians who are already in vulnerable environments to fall into even more fragile situations. We as the international community must renew our full respect for obligations under IHL and redouble our efforts to protect and strengthen water services under armed conflict, which lie at the core of human security.
Thank you.
Access to water is essential for human survival, dignity, and security. Issues related to water are interlinked with conflict in complex ways, amplifying global risks and threatening international peace and security.
Water-related services and infrastructure are unequivocally protected under international humanitarian law (IHL). Japan calls on all parties to conflict to uphold and comply with IHL, as well as Security Council resolutions 2417 and 2573. Access to humanitarian assistance that provides water-related services should never be impeded.
Japan is committed to protecting the dignity of all civilians, particularly those who experience the disproportionate effects of restricted access to water under armed conflicts, such as women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
At present, Japan is providing humanitarian assistance for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and the procurement of water service equipment in several conflict affected areas, including Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Furthermore, for many years, Japan has been supporting projects to improve the stability of conflict-affected areas and the well-being of civilians by strengthening public services, including water services, based on a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach.
Mr. Chair,
We must not allow civilians who are already in vulnerable environments to fall into even more fragile situations. We as the international community must renew our full respect for obligations under IHL and redouble our efforts to protect and strengthen water services under armed conflict, which lie at the core of human security.
Thank you.