Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Ambassadorial-level Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Liberia Configuration

Thank you, Madam Chair. I welcome Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie, from Liberia and their delegation. I also express our gratitude to the important inputs from the distinguished briefers.
 
Japan applauds Liberia’s strong commitment to achieving and consolidating peace. This sets a good precedent in a region where a number of countries are striving for sustaining peace.
 
Today I would like to highlight two points.
 
First, women’s participation provides a foundation for a solid and resilient society. As we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325 this year, we know that women’s diverse experiences and perspectives contribute greatly to developing sustainable solutions for the whole society. In particular, women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation is vital in all stages of decision-making in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. In the TICAD Ministerial Meeting that Japan hosted with the United Nations and other co-organizers in August last year, the participating countries reiterated the importance of promoting the protection, empowerment and participation of women in decision-making and peace processes. In this vein,  Japan commends the steadfast endeavour by the Liberian Government to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through implementing its first and second National Action Plans (NAP) on WPS. Japan also takes note of the ongoing discussion on whether to extend the second Plan until the end of 2025 and/or to develop a third Plan. Japan encourages the PBF to continue and further strengthen its support to Liberia through projects such as “Girls and Young Women Take Action for Peace”.
 
Second, for Liberia to build on the hard-won peace gains over the past two decades, a long-term perspective is essential in any cooperation between Liberia and its partners. The role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) cannot be overstated in helping the country consolidate peace. In this regard, Japan strongly supports the Liberia Configuration Chair’s continuous and constant engagement with the World Bank and the IMF on Liberia’s peacebuilding priorities over the years, including the latest visit in March to Washington D.C. for consultations with these partners. To reinforce the Chair’s initiative, inviting representatives of IFIs to our next PBC meeting on Liberia may be one way to utilize the PBC as a platform to facilitate collaboration among relevant partners.
 
To conclude, Japan remains committed to continuing our longstanding cooperation and support to Liberia in consolidating peace and democracy and pursuing socio-economic stability.
 
I thank you.