Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council (Adoption) EOV after the vote (Maritime Security in Red Sea)
2024/1/10
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President.
The Red Sea is vitally important for global maritime transportation. Currently, this critical shipping lane is in a state of crisis.
The Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial vessels with advanced weaponry, such as anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones and small boats. The Houthis have also “seized” the Japanese-operated Galaxy Leader and continues to hold the ship and its crew for nearly 50 days. Once again, we strongly demand the Houthis to release the vessel and its crew immediately and unconditionally.
These actions taken by the Houthis cannot be justified. The alarming incidents in the Red Sea have already caused serious repercussions for the supply chain and the global economy.
As a maritime nation, and as a responsible member of the Security Council, Japan cannot let this continue and we strongly believe that the Council must speak in a unified voice on this matter to protect maritime security and navigational rights in the Red Sea.
Therefore, Japan has decided to become a co-penholder together with the United States and has engaged in serious negotiations with other Council members.
In this vein, we welcome that the Council has just adopted this resolution today. On behalf of the United States and Japan, I would like to express our utmost appreciation for the Council members’ support and constructive engagement.
This resolution will become a strong pronouncement that the Security Council cannot accept the Houthis’ irresponsible actions in the Red Sea. It also encourages Member States to cooperate internationally or regionally to ensure navigational rights and freedoms.
It is also important, as this resolution encourages, for the Security Council to continue to support Yemen’s peace process under the UN auspices.
We hope that this resolution will provide a common ground among the Member States to address the current critical situation regarding the Red Sea and beyond.
I thank you.
The Red Sea is vitally important for global maritime transportation. Currently, this critical shipping lane is in a state of crisis.
The Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial vessels with advanced weaponry, such as anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones and small boats. The Houthis have also “seized” the Japanese-operated Galaxy Leader and continues to hold the ship and its crew for nearly 50 days. Once again, we strongly demand the Houthis to release the vessel and its crew immediately and unconditionally.
These actions taken by the Houthis cannot be justified. The alarming incidents in the Red Sea have already caused serious repercussions for the supply chain and the global economy.
As a maritime nation, and as a responsible member of the Security Council, Japan cannot let this continue and we strongly believe that the Council must speak in a unified voice on this matter to protect maritime security and navigational rights in the Red Sea.
Therefore, Japan has decided to become a co-penholder together with the United States and has engaged in serious negotiations with other Council members.
In this vein, we welcome that the Council has just adopted this resolution today. On behalf of the United States and Japan, I would like to express our utmost appreciation for the Council members’ support and constructive engagement.
This resolution will become a strong pronouncement that the Security Council cannot accept the Houthis’ irresponsible actions in the Red Sea. It also encourages Member States to cooperate internationally or regionally to ensure navigational rights and freedoms.
It is also important, as this resolution encourages, for the Security Council to continue to support Yemen’s peace process under the UN auspices.
We hope that this resolution will provide a common ground among the Member States to address the current critical situation regarding the Red Sea and beyond.
I thank you.