Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the General Debate on Peace Mediation, General Assembly

Madame President,

I wish to express my gratitude to Finland and Türkiye for their leadership as Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation to which Japan proudly belongs.

We are currently witnessing shifting power dynamics among major nations and an increasing number of conflicts and tensions across the globe. In these challenging times, a proactive approach to sustaining peace is essential. A key component of this effort is mediation, which offers a path towards peaceful resolution.
 
This past March, Japan newly established the International Peace Mediation Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This unit is to actively engage with counterparts from various countries, fostering relationships, and accumulating practical knowledge.

In this regard, Japan places great importance on a long-term commitment to sustainable peace. Our approach is deeply rooted in the concept of Human Security, through which we have provided capacity-building support for countries to build resilient institutions focused on people. Mediation efforts should be advanced in parallel with such long-term support, as both are essential and mutually reinforcing in the pursuit of sustainable peace.

Even as the United Nations undergoes necessary reforms and re-evaluations of its mandates, the pursuit of peaceful settlement of disputes, including mediation, as enshrined in Chapter VI of the UN Charter, must remain a core function of this organization. We believe that the Secretary-General should leverage his good offices more actively in mediation and preventive diplomacy, a call that was also affirmed in the "Pact for the Future."

Japan remains committed to contributing to global peace and stability through robust international cooperation. We believe that by strengthening our collective capacity for mediation and preventive diplomacy, we can contribute to building a more peaceful and better world.

I thank you.