Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on "Investing in the Transformative Power of Intergenerational Leadership on Women, Peace and Security"
2024/12/3
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam President.
First of all, let me also express our gratitude to the United Kingdom for their successful presidency in November, and congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency this month. Japan assures its full support to the U.S. delegation. I also thank USG Di Carlo, and Ms. Abbas, for their comprehensive briefings.
Japan recognizes that sustainable peace and security at local, regional and global levels can only be achieved through the full, equal and meaningful participation of women peacebuilders across generations including youth.
First, I would like to introduce an example of a local level effort. During Japan’s presidency of the Council in March, we invited Ms. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, a peacebuilder from Fiji, to brief the open debate entitled “Promoting Conflict Prevention - Empowering All Actors, including Women and Youth.” Among many of her important recommendations, she highlighted the value of integrating traditional and local knowledge, showcasing how local peacebuilders develop locally tailored strategies to prevent and address the recurrence of conflict. Her insights also underscored the need for inclusive conflict prevention efforts to ensure that young women have opportunities to contribute to the Council's work. Japan fully aligns with this perspective.
We are committed to not only amplifying the voices of women peacebuilders but also fostering stronger collaboration across generations. By embracing intergenerational cooperation, we can ensure that peacebuilding efforts reflect diverse perspectives and create more lasting solutions.
Madam President,
Second, I would like to refer to an example of a regional initiative. It is imperative for UN Member States to prioritize tangible actions that promote cross-generational learning, exchanges, and coalition-building among women peacebuilders. In this spirit, Japan launched the “Women's Peace Human Resource Development Initiative in the Horn of Africa” this August, based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Leadership Academy. This initiative aims to enhance the capacities of women leaders at the regional level.
The inaugural workshop, held in Kenya this November, brought together 28 participants from IGAD Member States, including representatives from parliaments, governments, media, civil society, and academia. This platform not only provided training in peacebuilding and leadership but also fostered invaluable networking across diverse participants. Such regional initiatives offer promising models for engaging young peacebuilders and cultivating intergenerational collaboration.
Madam President,
Third, Japan’s commitment extends beyond regional efforts to the global stage. In 2025, Japan will co-chair the WPS Focal Points Network with Norway, hosting the Capital Level Meeting in Tokyo this coming February. Mediation and peacebuilding will be central themes championed throughout the yearly processes of the Network, with a strong emphasis on fostering dialogue and collaboration between women peacebuilders across generations and diverse background. We aim to build bridges that strengthen their collective impact on achieving sustainable peace.
Madam President,
While Japan will soon conclude its current term on the Security Council, we will continue to advance dialogues and partnerships across generations in such a way as to ensure that the voices of women peacebuilders of all generations are actively heard and their contributions fully integrated. To this end, we advocate for leveraging the advisory role of the Peacebuilding Commission. The PBC’s convening power can bring together diverse actors, including civil society and women peacebuilders, to inform the Security Council’s deliberations. By requesting the PBC’s inputs and advice, the Council can better incorporate the voices of these diverse actors and reflect upon cross-generational efforts and initiatives on the ground.
In conclusion, promoting sustainable peace requires us to empower women peacebuilders, amplify their voices, and strengthen intergenerational cooperation at local, regional, and global levels. By creating platforms for dialogue, investing in capacity-building, and supporting innovative initiatives, we can unlock the full potential of women peacebuilders across generations. Together, we can lay the foundation for a more peaceful and sustainable world.
I thank you.
First of all, let me also express our gratitude to the United Kingdom for their successful presidency in November, and congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency this month. Japan assures its full support to the U.S. delegation. I also thank USG Di Carlo, and Ms. Abbas, for their comprehensive briefings.
Japan recognizes that sustainable peace and security at local, regional and global levels can only be achieved through the full, equal and meaningful participation of women peacebuilders across generations including youth.
First, I would like to introduce an example of a local level effort. During Japan’s presidency of the Council in March, we invited Ms. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, a peacebuilder from Fiji, to brief the open debate entitled “Promoting Conflict Prevention - Empowering All Actors, including Women and Youth.” Among many of her important recommendations, she highlighted the value of integrating traditional and local knowledge, showcasing how local peacebuilders develop locally tailored strategies to prevent and address the recurrence of conflict. Her insights also underscored the need for inclusive conflict prevention efforts to ensure that young women have opportunities to contribute to the Council's work. Japan fully aligns with this perspective.
We are committed to not only amplifying the voices of women peacebuilders but also fostering stronger collaboration across generations. By embracing intergenerational cooperation, we can ensure that peacebuilding efforts reflect diverse perspectives and create more lasting solutions.
Madam President,
Second, I would like to refer to an example of a regional initiative. It is imperative for UN Member States to prioritize tangible actions that promote cross-generational learning, exchanges, and coalition-building among women peacebuilders. In this spirit, Japan launched the “Women's Peace Human Resource Development Initiative in the Horn of Africa” this August, based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Leadership Academy. This initiative aims to enhance the capacities of women leaders at the regional level.
The inaugural workshop, held in Kenya this November, brought together 28 participants from IGAD Member States, including representatives from parliaments, governments, media, civil society, and academia. This platform not only provided training in peacebuilding and leadership but also fostered invaluable networking across diverse participants. Such regional initiatives offer promising models for engaging young peacebuilders and cultivating intergenerational collaboration.
Madam President,
Third, Japan’s commitment extends beyond regional efforts to the global stage. In 2025, Japan will co-chair the WPS Focal Points Network with Norway, hosting the Capital Level Meeting in Tokyo this coming February. Mediation and peacebuilding will be central themes championed throughout the yearly processes of the Network, with a strong emphasis on fostering dialogue and collaboration between women peacebuilders across generations and diverse background. We aim to build bridges that strengthen their collective impact on achieving sustainable peace.
Madam President,
While Japan will soon conclude its current term on the Security Council, we will continue to advance dialogues and partnerships across generations in such a way as to ensure that the voices of women peacebuilders of all generations are actively heard and their contributions fully integrated. To this end, we advocate for leveraging the advisory role of the Peacebuilding Commission. The PBC’s convening power can bring together diverse actors, including civil society and women peacebuilders, to inform the Security Council’s deliberations. By requesting the PBC’s inputs and advice, the Council can better incorporate the voices of these diverse actors and reflect upon cross-generational efforts and initiatives on the ground.
In conclusion, promoting sustainable peace requires us to empower women peacebuilders, amplify their voices, and strengthen intergenerational cooperation at local, regional, and global levels. By creating platforms for dialogue, investing in capacity-building, and supporting innovative initiatives, we can unlock the full potential of women peacebuilders across generations. Together, we can lay the foundation for a more peaceful and sustainable world.
I thank you.