Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict
2026/6/24
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President,
I would like to thank Colombia for convening this important annual debate. I also thank the briefers, including SRSG Vanessa Frazier, and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, for their sobering briefings.
Japan remains deeply concerned by the record number of grave violations against children in armed conflict, including a substantial rise in attacks on schools. The Secretary-General’s latest report verified over 38,000 such violations in 2025, with at least 3,176 children subjected to multiple grave violations, including abduction, recruitment and use, and sexual violence.
Japan strongly condemns all grave violations against children and calls on all parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law, including Security Council resolution 2601.
In relation to the SG’s latest report, we also note the SG’s 2015 report on the Future of UN Peace Operations as well as Security Council resolution 2242.
Madam President,
Access to quality, safe education is a fundamental human right and can serve as an important tool to help prevent and mitigate conflict in the long run. Disrupted education exacerbates the risk of grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict, including recruitment and sexual violence.
This year, Japan is supporting a 5 million USD project through UNICEF to rehabilitate 220 schools and restore learning for over 83,000 conflict-affected children across five states in Sudan. Japan will continue to collaborate with UNICEF and other international partners to protect children and education facilities affected by armed conflict through a holistic approach focusing on human security.
Education and child protection are interlinked and essential to human security, which places the individual at the center and seeks to protect human dignity, “leaving no one behind”. Building on this understanding, Japan has served as a co-chair of the Group of Friends for Education since its establishment, contributing to the commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for every learner.
Madam President,
Safe access to education depends on a secure environment, which is threatened by explosive hazards. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas remains a major driver of harm to children and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Japan actively supports the EWIPA Political Declaration and has provided assistance in mine action, IED countermeasures and victim assistance, while promoting regional and South-South cooperation. We will continue to undertake efforts in line with the Declaration.
Madam President,
In concluding, no child’s future should be determined by conflict, and education is a critical foundation for each child’s future. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the CAAC mandate, Japan reaffirms its shared commitment to protect children under armed conflict and uphold the right to education.
Thank you.
I would like to thank Colombia for convening this important annual debate. I also thank the briefers, including SRSG Vanessa Frazier, and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, for their sobering briefings.
Japan remains deeply concerned by the record number of grave violations against children in armed conflict, including a substantial rise in attacks on schools. The Secretary-General’s latest report verified over 38,000 such violations in 2025, with at least 3,176 children subjected to multiple grave violations, including abduction, recruitment and use, and sexual violence.
Japan strongly condemns all grave violations against children and calls on all parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights law, including Security Council resolution 2601.
In relation to the SG’s latest report, we also note the SG’s 2015 report on the Future of UN Peace Operations as well as Security Council resolution 2242.
Madam President,
Access to quality, safe education is a fundamental human right and can serve as an important tool to help prevent and mitigate conflict in the long run. Disrupted education exacerbates the risk of grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict, including recruitment and sexual violence.
This year, Japan is supporting a 5 million USD project through UNICEF to rehabilitate 220 schools and restore learning for over 83,000 conflict-affected children across five states in Sudan. Japan will continue to collaborate with UNICEF and other international partners to protect children and education facilities affected by armed conflict through a holistic approach focusing on human security.
Education and child protection are interlinked and essential to human security, which places the individual at the center and seeks to protect human dignity, “leaving no one behind”. Building on this understanding, Japan has served as a co-chair of the Group of Friends for Education since its establishment, contributing to the commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for every learner.
Madam President,
Safe access to education depends on a secure environment, which is threatened by explosive hazards. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas remains a major driver of harm to children and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Japan actively supports the EWIPA Political Declaration and has provided assistance in mine action, IED countermeasures and victim assistance, while promoting regional and South-South cooperation. We will continue to undertake efforts in line with the Declaration.
Madam President,
In concluding, no child’s future should be determined by conflict, and education is a critical foundation for each child’s future. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the CAAC mandate, Japan reaffirms its shared commitment to protect children under armed conflict and uphold the right to education.
Thank you.