コモン・アジェンダに関するテーマ協議第四回会合における石兼大使ステートメント

 

 
Mr. President,
 
Protecting our planet demands greater global solidarity, and solidarity requires trust among people and among nations.
 
The basis of trust among nations is inscribed in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. What we are witnessing in many parts of the world, including Ukraine, is the destruction of the trust needed in our effort to protect our planet.
 
Solidarity supported by trust is of paramount importance in promoting our common agenda. Indeed, one country alone cannot address the compounded risks and interconnected challenges that place people and the planet in clear distress. The UNDP special report on human security launched in February advocates greater solidarity in the Anthropocene, in addition to the traditional framework of “protection and empowerment” of individuals.
 
Allow me to briefly touch upon some specific areas in this cluster.
 
First, on global health, Japan welcomes the efforts to promote universal health coverage (UHC) as a critical mean to enhance social protection. COVID-19 was a stark reminder of how interconnected we are. Global health architecture must be strengthened with enhanced transparency, leaving no geographical vacuum on the planet and leaving no one's health behind.
 
Second, climate change is the central issue in “protecting our planet and being prepared for the future.” What we need is to steadily implement the Paris Agreement, with ambition and solidarity.
 
Third, we welcome the emphasis in the OCA report on prevention and preparedness. Japan underlines the importance of upfront investments in disaster risk reduction and stands ready to contribute to the 2023 midterm review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
 
Fourth, we note with interest the proposal to establish an Emergency Platform to respond to complex global crises. Such new arrangement could only be useful if it builds on existing mechanisms, breaks down the silos, and strengthens the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to allow agile, flexible and seamless response on the ground.
 
Lastly, as I had emphasized in our first meeting, we must avoid additional layers or additional resources for a structure that does not deliver to the people most in need. Through this lens, Japan will carefully consider other proposals in this cluster.
 
I thank you.