Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMANAKA Osamu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the General Debate of the 78th Session of the Second Committee
2023/10/3
(As delivered)
Mr. Chair
I would like to begin by extending our congratulations to you, Ambassador Carlos Amorín of Uruguay, and the other Bureau members on your appointments. I also wish to thank Ambassador Stoeva and the previous Bureau members for their excellent work.
It is with our deepest gratitude that we can gather again, continuing from last year. Japan would like to renew our commitment to engage openly and constructively in all the important discussions of this Committee.
Mr. Chair,
The international community is facing several complex and interrelated issues. The world is increasingly being divided. The SDGs, which pledged to all people that “no one will be left behind”, are themselves at risk of being left behind at their midpoint. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister KISHIDA, through his addresses at the General Assembly and the SDG Summit, called for strengthening international solidarity by shedding light on “human dignity,” so as to steadily advance human-centered international cooperation based on the concept of human security, and to accelerate the efforts of the international community to achieve the SDGs. The Political Declaration of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which was adopted by consensus last Friday, embodies these principles.
We firmly believe that this Committee is one of the most important forums to translate these principles into concrete actions. Under the theme of this 78th session of this Committee, “Building a sustainable recovery for all,” Japan is determined to work closely together with the Member States toward brighter future for all under these principles.
Mr. Chair,
Allow me touch upon Japan’s policies on several specific issues.
First of all, we have to prepare for the next infectious disease outbreak, learning the lessons of our fight against COVID-19. The G7 have pledged to mobilize more than 48 billion USD from both the public and private sectors toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR).
Japan’s commitment remains unwavering. We will contribute 7.5 billion USD over the period from 2022 to 2025. Alongside the mobilization of domestic financial resources, we are supporting the mobilization of private sector financial resources through the promotion of impact investments. Japan will also continue to work with developing countries, including emerging economies, to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures for health emergencies (MCMs), as part of our contribution to the G20 outcomes.
Second, climate change is an urgent issue which the international community should address immediately. Japan is determined to lead the efforts of the international community in cooperation with other countries towards the success of COP28 and beyond.
In particular, we will further support Disaster Risk Reduction for countries vulnerable to climate change. We are also committed to achieving the developed countries’ collective goal of mobilizing 100 billion USD per year in climate finance. Accordingly, we are steadily implementing our commitment to provide up to $70 billion USD in support from both public and private sectors over five years from 2021 to 2025.
Third, education is another important issue, as lasting peace cannot be achieved without education. Recognizing that education can counter the underlying causes of violence and foster inclusion, tolerance, and conflict resolution, Japan prioritizes education cooperation as an essential sector for achieving human security.
Prime Minister Kishida, whose credo is “invest in people,” has assumed a champion role to strengthen ongoing efforts in the education sector. It is critically important to emphasize that education is a fundamental human right, a foundation for lasting peace, an enabler for all the SDGs, and a path to a better future for those who are in a difficult situation.
Fourth, Japan remains committed to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, under the flag of SDG5. In particular, as our Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA announced here in New York, Japan is now stepping up efforts to promote the “Women and Peace & Security Agenda” recognizing the importance of discussing this issue both in the context of social and economic affairs, as well as the international peace and security sphere.
Last but not least, financing for development is critical to support developing countries, especially low-income countries. In this regard, we would like to reiterate here that Japan has been taking a leading role to raise its pledge of reallocated SDRs, and has significantly contributed toward the total global ambition of 100 billion USD and supports the reform of the MDBs while providing substantial financial support for their activities.
Mr. Chair,
I would like to end my statement by reiterating our position that unnecessary Programme Budget Implications (PBIs) will not be acceptable. Japan looks forward to open and constructive discussions in this Committee, under your able leadership, so as to accelerate our path toward achieving the 2030 Agenda, as the SDG Political Declaration squarely emphasized its urgent need.
I thank you.
I would like to begin by extending our congratulations to you, Ambassador Carlos Amorín of Uruguay, and the other Bureau members on your appointments. I also wish to thank Ambassador Stoeva and the previous Bureau members for their excellent work.
It is with our deepest gratitude that we can gather again, continuing from last year. Japan would like to renew our commitment to engage openly and constructively in all the important discussions of this Committee.
Mr. Chair,
The international community is facing several complex and interrelated issues. The world is increasingly being divided. The SDGs, which pledged to all people that “no one will be left behind”, are themselves at risk of being left behind at their midpoint. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister KISHIDA, through his addresses at the General Assembly and the SDG Summit, called for strengthening international solidarity by shedding light on “human dignity,” so as to steadily advance human-centered international cooperation based on the concept of human security, and to accelerate the efforts of the international community to achieve the SDGs. The Political Declaration of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which was adopted by consensus last Friday, embodies these principles.
We firmly believe that this Committee is one of the most important forums to translate these principles into concrete actions. Under the theme of this 78th session of this Committee, “Building a sustainable recovery for all,” Japan is determined to work closely together with the Member States toward brighter future for all under these principles.
Mr. Chair,
Allow me touch upon Japan’s policies on several specific issues.
First of all, we have to prepare for the next infectious disease outbreak, learning the lessons of our fight against COVID-19. The G7 have pledged to mobilize more than 48 billion USD from both the public and private sectors toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR).
Japan’s commitment remains unwavering. We will contribute 7.5 billion USD over the period from 2022 to 2025. Alongside the mobilization of domestic financial resources, we are supporting the mobilization of private sector financial resources through the promotion of impact investments. Japan will also continue to work with developing countries, including emerging economies, to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures for health emergencies (MCMs), as part of our contribution to the G20 outcomes.
Second, climate change is an urgent issue which the international community should address immediately. Japan is determined to lead the efforts of the international community in cooperation with other countries towards the success of COP28 and beyond.
In particular, we will further support Disaster Risk Reduction for countries vulnerable to climate change. We are also committed to achieving the developed countries’ collective goal of mobilizing 100 billion USD per year in climate finance. Accordingly, we are steadily implementing our commitment to provide up to $70 billion USD in support from both public and private sectors over five years from 2021 to 2025.
Third, education is another important issue, as lasting peace cannot be achieved without education. Recognizing that education can counter the underlying causes of violence and foster inclusion, tolerance, and conflict resolution, Japan prioritizes education cooperation as an essential sector for achieving human security.
Prime Minister Kishida, whose credo is “invest in people,” has assumed a champion role to strengthen ongoing efforts in the education sector. It is critically important to emphasize that education is a fundamental human right, a foundation for lasting peace, an enabler for all the SDGs, and a path to a better future for those who are in a difficult situation.
Fourth, Japan remains committed to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, under the flag of SDG5. In particular, as our Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA announced here in New York, Japan is now stepping up efforts to promote the “Women and Peace & Security Agenda” recognizing the importance of discussing this issue both in the context of social and economic affairs, as well as the international peace and security sphere.
Last but not least, financing for development is critical to support developing countries, especially low-income countries. In this regard, we would like to reiterate here that Japan has been taking a leading role to raise its pledge of reallocated SDRs, and has significantly contributed toward the total global ambition of 100 billion USD and supports the reform of the MDBs while providing substantial financial support for their activities.
Mr. Chair,
I would like to end my statement by reiterating our position that unnecessary Programme Budget Implications (PBIs) will not be acceptable. Japan looks forward to open and constructive discussions in this Committee, under your able leadership, so as to accelerate our path toward achieving the 2030 Agenda, as the SDG Political Declaration squarely emphasized its urgent need.
I thank you.