Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Debate on UN peacekeeping operations

Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate and providing us with the opportunity to participate.

First of all, allow me to pay tribute to the peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and to extend Japan's condolences to their families and countries.

I also thank Secretary-General Guterres for his briefing and welcome his report on the future of all forms of UN peace operations. Peacekeeping operations remain one of the most effective tools available to the UN to promote international peace and security. In responding to the report, let me highlight three points.

First, the personnel on the ground play the most critical role in implementing mandates decided by the Security Council. Their safety and capability are paramount. We call on the Council to give due weight to the discussions among troop- and police- contributing countries, as well as financial contributing countries, in order to ensure that individual mandates are realistic, focused, and effective. The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, or C34, may serve as the most representative platform for such a discussion. Japan will continue to support UN peacekeeping as one of its major financial contributors and through the efforts to enhance mission effectiveness including capacity building initiatives in partnership with TCCs and PCCs.

Second, Japan believes that peacekeeping can best perform when it is aligned with host States’ long-term political objectives. In this regard, a comprehensive approach to peace remains indispensable.It should be grounded in the HDP nexus, and built on close and constructive relations between the UN actors including development and humanitarian agencies, and host States, inclusive of the whole of society. This is in line with the report’s call for stronger partnerships with host States and a whole-of-UN response to sustaining peace.

Third, in line with the report's call for peace operations to move towards nimbler, more adaptable models, Japan requests that the Secretariat, in its ongoing review of mission structures and command and control arrangements, will also explore closer integration among the civilian, military and support components of mission headquarters, rather than establishing new coordination bodies.

Mr. President,

Japan reiterates its continued commitment to the collective effort to shape future UN peace operations, including through the Action for Peacekeeping initiative and its subsequent implementation frameworks, in solidarity with the Council, TCCs and PCCs, financial contributors, the Secretariat and missions in the field.

I thank you.