Statement by Mr. YOSHINO Kohei, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations General Assembly plenary meeting on Central Asia

Mr. President, colleagues,
 
At the outset, allow me to note that Japan is very pleased that the resolution was adopted by the consensus last year.
Given our long history of close cooperation with the Central Asian countries, Japan gladly joined the consensus and we truly appreciate today’s debate with our fellow Member States. In this regard, once again we would like to express our deep respect to the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, in particularly to Turkmenistan, which has been leading the way on the resolution.
 
Mr. President, colleagues,
 
The year 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the five Central Asian countries. Japan established its cooperation mechanism with the region, "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue which dates back to 2004, when no other countries had such a framework of cooperation.
 
Last December, the ninth Foreign Ministers' Meeting　of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue was held in Tokyo. There, we reviewed achievements of cooperation between Japan and the Central Asian countries over the past 30 years in areas such as economic infrastructure improvement, health and medical care, the environment, border management, agriculture, and human resources development. We presented a new model with a particular focus on "investment in people" and "quality of growth" to achieve sustainable development in the region, amid the drastically changing international situation.
 
In addition, we reaffirmed the importance of mutual cooperation as partners in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and agreed on the importance of upholding the UN Charter and other fundamental principles of international law such as the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
 
Mr. President, colleagues,
 
Japan once again salutes enormous efforts of the relevant organizations and individuals dedicated to further prosperous Central Asia. Among many, we commend the UNRCCA for its contribution and commitment to preventive diplomacy, and the Central Asian Women Leaders' Caucus for its efforts to advance the WPS agenda.

Japan is working together with Central Asian countries to tackle a variety of challenges they face. We also continue to cooperate with UNODC and UNDP. Last year, we decided to provide $4.1 million in grant assistance to empower youth and strengthen social cohesion in countries across the region. Japan also continues to provide financial assistance for a project to strengthen border control capacity in Central Asia through the OSCE as well.
 
Mr. President, colleagues,
 
In conclusion, building on these achievements, Japan will continue to support peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Central Asian region.
 
I thank you.