Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the plenary of the General Assembly in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the UN Charter

Mr. President,

80 years have passed.

This solemn meeting reminds the Member States of the need for remembering the collective will of nations embodied in the Charter to prevent future wars and promote human dignity, as we face flagrant violation of the Charter, even by a permanent member of the Security Council. I strongly call for protecting the Charter’s principles, including refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of states or as a means of settling international issues, and for upholding the rule of law.

The Charter also provides the platform for strengthening multilateral cooperation addressing ever-changing global challenges. In addition to military conflicts, the world today has to grapple with challenges such as nuclear disarmament, human rights, climate change, and new technologies demanding a renewed commitment to multilateralism. The UN must adapt itself to meet these challenges. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals has been one of the most significant achievements in this regard, and the Pact for the Future has provided a crucial roadmap. Japan strongly supports their implementation and will continue to work with all the Member States and UN bodies to ensure the UN’s effectiveness.

The UN needs to urgently reform itself, including the Security Council. The reform initiatives must not lose sight of the overarching aim of the UN; to defend human dignity. In this regard, Japan strongly believes that human security approach is needed more than ever as a tool to unify various functions the UN possesses.  

Japan is committed to working with international community to achieve a more peaceful and sustainable future. We will continue to stand with the UN as a responsible and engaged Member State.