Statement by Ms. YOSHIDA Aya, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly
2024/11/4
(As delivered)
Madam President,
At the outset, Japan would like to express its gratitude to Ambassadors Cornel Feruță and Menissa Rambally, the Permanent Representatives of Romania and Saint Lucia, for their tireless work as the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the 78th session.
Also, we would like to congratulate the reappointment of Ambassador Feruță and the appointment of Ambassador Mathu Joyini, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa, as the Co-Chairs for the 79th session.
Madam President,
This year in September, world leaders came together in this hall, and the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future in consensus. We all witnessed a historical moment in which we decisively upheld multilateralism.
The momentum is here. Humanity around the world raised its voice for the future of the international community. Now is the time for shared responsibility and genuine solidarity. The UN’s role is more vital than ever, as we navigate new possibilities, opportunities and risks, and we must strive for a more functional General Assembly which is the heart of the United Nations.
To that end, we commend the publication of the Digital Handbook on the UN General Assembly’s Past Practice on Peace and Security. This valuable resource empowers Member States and anyone in the world to rediscover the General Assembly’s crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
This handbook provides valuable insights on how General Assembly has been active in authorizing peace operations; giving recommendations related to the use of force, including requesting a withdrawal of force; and recommending, adopting, and restraining sanctions. The handbook also underscores the GA’s role in mandating or recommending accountability measures and initiatives; and in institutionalizing a mediation mechanism.
We will engage in raising awareness of this handbook which serves us to understand that we have more options that could be taken by the General Assembly. Japan firmly believes that it is crucial at this juncture, that the Security Council and General Assembly should view each other as complementary and not as competing actors. It is indispensable that we enhance the synergy between the two bodies to effectively address the complex global challenges we face. Reaffirming the General Assembly’s expansive set of response options is the important first step in this direction.
In regard to peace and security, we continue to support the implementation of resolution 76/262, calling for accountability on the use of the veto, through the submission of special reports and explanation in the General Assembly. Restraining the misuse of the veto will help restore confidence in the Security Council, and the entire United Nations.
Madam President,
To achieve higher efficiency and effectiveness of the General Assembly, Japan is willing to look into concrete proposals on how to proceed with the streamlining of agendas. Higher visibility of the overall schedule, including how many high-level meetings are already mandated for the next session – will surely instill Member States the sense of self-restraint. We reiterate our proposal, which we have also stated last year, for a further discussion on the possibility of harnessing the General Committee to this end.
Madam President,
This session’s resolution is particularly important as it will be the last resolution before the upcoming election of the Secretary-General. During the selection process for the Secretary-General in 2016, Japan served as a member of the Security Council. The Permanent Representative Japan of the time submitted a letter, with the overview and chronology of the process with achievements and lessons learned. We should build on good practices to improve the process for better transparency. Let us also bear in mind the importance of appointing the best candidate, securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for the post of Secretary-General, while also noting that there has yet to be a female Secretary-General in the history of this Organization.
Madam President,
Co-Chairs,
Please rest assured that Japan will continue to engage constructively in the process to achieving further progress in revitalizing the General Assembly. We are fully confident that your chairpersonship will guide us through the path to a practical resolution, to be adopted by consensus.
At the outset, Japan would like to express its gratitude to Ambassadors Cornel Feruță and Menissa Rambally, the Permanent Representatives of Romania and Saint Lucia, for their tireless work as the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the 78th session.
Also, we would like to congratulate the reappointment of Ambassador Feruță and the appointment of Ambassador Mathu Joyini, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa, as the Co-Chairs for the 79th session.
Madam President,
This year in September, world leaders came together in this hall, and the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future in consensus. We all witnessed a historical moment in which we decisively upheld multilateralism.
The momentum is here. Humanity around the world raised its voice for the future of the international community. Now is the time for shared responsibility and genuine solidarity. The UN’s role is more vital than ever, as we navigate new possibilities, opportunities and risks, and we must strive for a more functional General Assembly which is the heart of the United Nations.
To that end, we commend the publication of the Digital Handbook on the UN General Assembly’s Past Practice on Peace and Security. This valuable resource empowers Member States and anyone in the world to rediscover the General Assembly’s crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
This handbook provides valuable insights on how General Assembly has been active in authorizing peace operations; giving recommendations related to the use of force, including requesting a withdrawal of force; and recommending, adopting, and restraining sanctions. The handbook also underscores the GA’s role in mandating or recommending accountability measures and initiatives; and in institutionalizing a mediation mechanism.
We will engage in raising awareness of this handbook which serves us to understand that we have more options that could be taken by the General Assembly. Japan firmly believes that it is crucial at this juncture, that the Security Council and General Assembly should view each other as complementary and not as competing actors. It is indispensable that we enhance the synergy between the two bodies to effectively address the complex global challenges we face. Reaffirming the General Assembly’s expansive set of response options is the important first step in this direction.
In regard to peace and security, we continue to support the implementation of resolution 76/262, calling for accountability on the use of the veto, through the submission of special reports and explanation in the General Assembly. Restraining the misuse of the veto will help restore confidence in the Security Council, and the entire United Nations.
Madam President,
To achieve higher efficiency and effectiveness of the General Assembly, Japan is willing to look into concrete proposals on how to proceed with the streamlining of agendas. Higher visibility of the overall schedule, including how many high-level meetings are already mandated for the next session – will surely instill Member States the sense of self-restraint. We reiterate our proposal, which we have also stated last year, for a further discussion on the possibility of harnessing the General Committee to this end.
Madam President,
This session’s resolution is particularly important as it will be the last resolution before the upcoming election of the Secretary-General. During the selection process for the Secretary-General in 2016, Japan served as a member of the Security Council. The Permanent Representative Japan of the time submitted a letter, with the overview and chronology of the process with achievements and lessons learned. We should build on good practices to improve the process for better transparency. Let us also bear in mind the importance of appointing the best candidate, securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for the post of Secretary-General, while also noting that there has yet to be a female Secretary-General in the history of this Organization.
Madam President,
Co-Chairs,
Please rest assured that Japan will continue to engage constructively in the process to achieving further progress in revitalizing the General Assembly. We are fully confident that your chairpersonship will guide us through the path to a practical resolution, to be adopted by consensus.
I thank you.