国連総会議題112「国連の活動」に関する総会本会議公式会合における石兼大使ステートメント
令和4年1月21日
(As delivered)
Mr. President,
Allow me to start by thanking you for convening this meeting and the Secretary-General for sharing his priorities for 2022.
Two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is yet to overcome the variants, not to mention its socioeconomic impacts. The work of the UN, including the intergovernmental processes and the activities in the field alike, has been strained in many ways due to the pandemic. We need extra efforts to communicate our priorities and forge common understanding on the focus of the work of the UN.
I will touch upon six areas where Japan deems the UN’s role particularly important and intends to work closely with the Organization throughout this year.
First, global health. COVID-19 has underscored the imperative of securing health as a global public good. Japan will continue its support to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for countries and regions in need, while steadily implementing our “Last One Mile Support” to ensure vaccination down to the last person in collaboration with the UN. All countries and regions need to strengthen their health systems to effectively respond to future pandemics. Japan will continue to lead the international effort to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) towards the High-Level Meeting on UHC in 2023.
Second, 2030 Agenda. We must admit the first two years of the “Decade of Action” have been stifled by the pandemic. We have no time to waste and must strive for achieving 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs, which are integrated and indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Japan welcomes the special reference to the development of Africa in the SG report. Towards TICAD8 this year, Japan looks forward to working closely with the co-organizers: UNOSAA, UNDP, the World Bank and the AU Commission.
Third, climate change. Besides advancing its own efforts to achieve net-zero by 2050 and 46 percent reduction by FY2030 as well as continuing its challenge to meet the lofty goal of 50 percent reduction, Japan remains steadfast in translating its climate commitments made at COP26 into concrete measures, supporting decarbonization and adaptation efforts worldwide. Notably, Japan attaches great importance to assisting developing countries build institutional capacities for adaptation. In this connection, but not limited only to the climate change context,
Allow me to start by thanking you for convening this meeting and the Secretary-General for sharing his priorities for 2022.
Two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is yet to overcome the variants, not to mention its socioeconomic impacts. The work of the UN, including the intergovernmental processes and the activities in the field alike, has been strained in many ways due to the pandemic. We need extra efforts to communicate our priorities and forge common understanding on the focus of the work of the UN.
I will touch upon six areas where Japan deems the UN’s role particularly important and intends to work closely with the Organization throughout this year.
First, global health. COVID-19 has underscored the imperative of securing health as a global public good. Japan will continue its support to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for countries and regions in need, while steadily implementing our “Last One Mile Support” to ensure vaccination down to the last person in collaboration with the UN. All countries and regions need to strengthen their health systems to effectively respond to future pandemics. Japan will continue to lead the international effort to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) towards the High-Level Meeting on UHC in 2023.
Second, 2030 Agenda. We must admit the first two years of the “Decade of Action” have been stifled by the pandemic. We have no time to waste and must strive for achieving 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs, which are integrated and indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Japan welcomes the special reference to the development of Africa in the SG report. Towards TICAD8 this year, Japan looks forward to working closely with the co-organizers: UNOSAA, UNDP, the World Bank and the AU Commission.
Third, climate change. Besides advancing its own efforts to achieve net-zero by 2050 and 46 percent reduction by FY2030 as well as continuing its challenge to meet the lofty goal of 50 percent reduction, Japan remains steadfast in translating its climate commitments made at COP26 into concrete measures, supporting decarbonization and adaptation efforts worldwide. Notably, Japan attaches great importance to assisting developing countries build institutional capacities for adaptation. In this connection, but not limited only to the climate change context,
Japan will work closely with the UN to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction towards its midterm review in 2023. Japan will support the special needs of small island developing States in tackling climate and disaster related challenges.
Fourth, peace and security. Repeated launches of ballistic missiles in the past few weeks by the DPRK in flagrant violation of relevant Security Council resolutions should not be overlooked. Japan will work closely with the UN towards the goal of achieving complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges of the DPRK. As an active member of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Japan will engage in further discussion to sustain peace with an emphasis on the promotion of institution and capacity-building. Japan welcomes that the OCA report articulates the importance of conflict prevention and calls for an expanded role for the PBC to be defined in the “new agenda for peace.” We will continue to contribute to the capacity building of peacekeeping operations through Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP).
It was truly unfortunate that the surge of Omicron variant in New York City coincided with the planned dates of 10th NPT Review Conference. We hope the conference will take place as soon as possible. As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings, Japan will spare no effort to achieve a meaningful outcome and to call on all State Parties to contribute to the shared goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
Fifth, respect of universal values. UN embodies internationally recognized principles and values such as human rights, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Japan will support the UN’s work aimed at helping the Member States build their capacity to uphold these universal values. Gender equality is among the priority areas where more assistance is needed on the ground. Japan will collaborate closely with UN Women, OSRSG-SVC and others to protect and promote the rights of women and girls.
COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the need to refocus on people’s well-being and dignity and find best ways to protect and empower individuals and communities, in particular the most vulnerable. It is high time for the UN and its Members to invest more for human security as the world strive to build back better from the pandemic. Japan looks forward to deepening the discussion on human security among the Member States. We will also work closely with the UN to deliver on the ground to strengthen human security for all.
Sixth, effective functioning of the Organization. In order to deliver on the commitments of our Leaders in the 75th anniversary declaration, the Organization cannot remain outdated and ineffective. Reform of the Security Council is now or never. We should break the years of stagnation and “instil new life” into the discussion. Japan looks forward to your role, Mr. President and Mr. Secretary-General, in leveraging this momentum to bring tangible progress by the end of this session.
In conclusion, Japan looks forward to working closely with the UN, Member States and other stakeholders throughout 2022 to respond to current and future challenges and to advance our common agenda, including the preparation for the “Summit of the Future.”
Thank you.