第77回国連総会第3委員会議題25「社会開発」に関する賀集政府代表顧問ステートメント
令和4年9月30日
Mr. Chair,
I am attending this Committee as the Special Advisor to the Japanese delegation on the recommendations of Japanese women’s NGOs, with the belief that women’s political empowerment and democratic governance are essential to achieve a peaceful and equal civil society.
Mr. Chair,
It is our pleasure that in-person meetings have mostly resumed as we overcome COVID-19, a critical threat to human security. However, other threats to human security, such as food and energy crises triggered by the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and climate change have unfortunately aggravated. Japan places great importance on the holistic empowerment of all individuals to ensure human security, and I would like to discuss how we can achieve social development in light of such efforts, especially in supporting persons with disabilities, women, food security and universal health coverage.
Mr. Chair,
Since 2014, Japan has been hosting the World Assembly for Women (“WAW!”) which discusses the challenges to promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality with diverse participants. The next “WAW!” symposium will be held in December 2022. In addition, Japan and Sierra Leone co-facilitated resolution 76/304 for survivors of sexual violence, adopted by the General Assembly this September.
Mr. Chair,
Japan advocates the empowerment and rights of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive society. One example is urban development based on universal design, taking advantage of the momentum of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. In addition to the amendment of the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Barrier-Free Act, new legislation to enhance information accessibility and communication for persons with disabilities was enacted this year.
Mr. Chair,
The best interest of children should always come first, and relevant policies should be at the center of an inclusive society. In order to comprehensively support the healthy development of children, protect children's rights and leave no child behind, our Government is introducing new legislation and establishing a new agency for children and families in April 2023.
Mr. Chair,
Japan has long engaged in food security, not merely responding to emerging needs triggered by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Last December, the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, where the Tokyo Compact was issued with the endorsement of 215 stakeholders, garnered financial commitments of over USD 27 billion, including approximately USD 2.8 billion from Japan. In the wake of the food crisis in the Middle East and Africa, Japan is providing USD 200 million, as Prime Minister Kishida announced at the G7 Summit last June.
Mr. Chair,
Considering that health is essential for human security, Japan serves as a co-chair of the Group of Friends of universal health coverage (UHC), and promotes UHC so that every person can access basic health and medical services at an affordable cost. Japan has provided around USD 5 billion to support the COVID-19 response, including vaccine-related assistance through COVAX. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida pledged at the Global Fund’s 7th Replenishment Conference last week that Japan would contribute up to USD 1.08 billion to the Global Fund over the next three years.
Mr. Chair,
Japan will continue to address issues surrounding social development by empowering every individual, in the spirit of “leaving no one behind”, and will further strengthen its efforts based on the concept of human security in the new era.
I thank you.
I am attending this Committee as the Special Advisor to the Japanese delegation on the recommendations of Japanese women’s NGOs, with the belief that women’s political empowerment and democratic governance are essential to achieve a peaceful and equal civil society.
Mr. Chair,
It is our pleasure that in-person meetings have mostly resumed as we overcome COVID-19, a critical threat to human security. However, other threats to human security, such as food and energy crises triggered by the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and climate change have unfortunately aggravated. Japan places great importance on the holistic empowerment of all individuals to ensure human security, and I would like to discuss how we can achieve social development in light of such efforts, especially in supporting persons with disabilities, women, food security and universal health coverage.
Mr. Chair,
Since 2014, Japan has been hosting the World Assembly for Women (“WAW!”) which discusses the challenges to promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality with diverse participants. The next “WAW!” symposium will be held in December 2022. In addition, Japan and Sierra Leone co-facilitated resolution 76/304 for survivors of sexual violence, adopted by the General Assembly this September.
Mr. Chair,
Japan advocates the empowerment and rights of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive society. One example is urban development based on universal design, taking advantage of the momentum of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. In addition to the amendment of the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Barrier-Free Act, new legislation to enhance information accessibility and communication for persons with disabilities was enacted this year.
Mr. Chair,
The best interest of children should always come first, and relevant policies should be at the center of an inclusive society. In order to comprehensively support the healthy development of children, protect children's rights and leave no child behind, our Government is introducing new legislation and establishing a new agency for children and families in April 2023.
Mr. Chair,
Japan has long engaged in food security, not merely responding to emerging needs triggered by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Last December, the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, where the Tokyo Compact was issued with the endorsement of 215 stakeholders, garnered financial commitments of over USD 27 billion, including approximately USD 2.8 billion from Japan. In the wake of the food crisis in the Middle East and Africa, Japan is providing USD 200 million, as Prime Minister Kishida announced at the G7 Summit last June.
Mr. Chair,
Considering that health is essential for human security, Japan serves as a co-chair of the Group of Friends of universal health coverage (UHC), and promotes UHC so that every person can access basic health and medical services at an affordable cost. Japan has provided around USD 5 billion to support the COVID-19 response, including vaccine-related assistance through COVAX. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida pledged at the Global Fund’s 7th Replenishment Conference last week that Japan would contribute up to USD 1.08 billion to the Global Fund over the next three years.
Mr. Chair,
Japan will continue to address issues surrounding social development by empowering every individual, in the spirit of “leaving no one behind”, and will further strengthen its efforts based on the concept of human security in the new era.
I thank you.