安保理報告書に関する国連総会非公式会合における入谷公使ステートメント

Madam President,
 
At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to you for convening today’s meeting. I also thank Ambassador Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan for his introductory remarks. Japan has consistently and fully committed to enhancing the transparency of the working methods of the Security Council, particularly through assuming the role of Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG).
 
The Security Council Annual Report is one of the key communication channels between the General Assembly and the Security Council as stipulated in the UN Charter. It provides useful material for reviewing and evaluating the activities of the Council over the past year, identifying challenges, and applying these insights to future work. Therefore, its content must be sufficiently detailed and substantive.
 
From this perspective, Japan proposes that the Monthly Assessments, currently issued as separate Security Council documents, be reattached to the Annual Report, as was the practice when they were first introduced in 1997 as stipulated in the Note by the President of the Security Council S/1997/451. Originally, the Monthly Assessments were prepared by the presidency of the month in its national capacity and attached to the Annual Report. Though nearly all presidencies prepared the Assessments until 2013, the number of months without Assessments gradually increased, and the publication of the Assessments has become patchy. Furthermore, even when the Monthly Assessments are prepared, there are often significant delays before issuance, undermining their timeliness.
 
This situation reduces transparency of the Council's activities, and requires correction. While the content of the Assessments, prepared under the national capacity of the monthly presidency, does not necessarily reflect the Council's consensual views, it is expected to be more substantive and analytical. This would help Member States to understand the substance of discussions within the Council.
 
This proposal requires technical and procedural considerations, including coordination with the Annual Report preparation schedule. Japan is ready to listen to views from Member States on our proposal to further explore ways to ensure the creation of a more useful and meaningful Annual Report.
 
We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with all Member States to ensure that the Security Council remains a transparent, efficient, and effective body for the maintenance of international peace and security.
 
I thank you.