安保理改革に関する政府間交渉会合における石兼大使によるステートメント

 
Thank you, Madam Co-Chairs, for convening this meeting. Japan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ambassador T. S. Tirumurti of India on behalf of the G4. Please allow me to make additional remarks in my national capacity.
 
Madam Co-Chairs,
 
Let me briefly reiterate Japan’s position regarding today’s agenda.
 
On “the size of an enlarged Security Council and working methods of the Council”, Japan deems that the Security Council’s size should be expanded so as to make the Council more representative. The revised number of Council seats should be around the mid-20s. The Council's working methods should also be revised and updated to make the Council more transparent, efficient, and effective.
 
On “the relationship between the Council and the General Assembly”, Japan understands that a preponderance of the Member States in this hall believe that the Council’s relationship with the General Assembly should be further strengthened. All Member States should be well informed about the Security Council’s work so that they can engage with the Council on matters of their concern.
 
During our past tenure on the Council, Japan proactively engaged in updating and improving the working methods of the Council. In recent years, for instance, the Council has improved the transitional arrangements for newly elected members. Such continuous efforts are critical to ensuring that the broader membership are fully updated with the latest working methods of the Council and in a position to readily contribute to the deliberations. I trust that the Security Council will continue to make efforts to improve its working methods as we reform its structure and its relations with the General Assembly.
 
Madam Co-Chairs,
 
By the close of today's meeting, we will have duly discussed all five clusters from resolution A/62/557. I once again strongly request you to circulate soon after this meeting a single consolidated document which accurately compiles the positions of each group and each country with attribution. Maintaining a record of the discussion in a single document would greatly help all Member States to better understand each other’s current views and will be indispensable for open, inclusive, transparent, and Member States-driven negotiations in the IGN.
 
This single consolidated document could be made by merging the current two documents of the IGN—the “Framework document” from 2015 and the "Revised elements of commonality and issues for further consideration” paper from the 73rd session—and updating this combined text as necessary.
 
An overwhelming majority of the Member States eagerly wish to put an end to the repetition of lackluster IGN discussions year after year.
 
Yet with no record, no webcast, and no rules of procedure, these calls to improve the working methods of the IGN simply vanish from the minds of the delegations, and the same debate continues to repeat each year. There is an urgent and imperative need to improve the way we work and to establish an institutional memory for this forum. In this regard, I would like to reiterate my request for the application of the General Assembly rules of procedure to the IGN.
 
Let me conclude by reminding you, Madam Co-chairs, that the IGN was created to reform the Security Council. All my requests pertain to simple procedural matters aimed at facilitating the meeting of minds towards realizing this goal. I have no doubt that all the Members States that have agreed to “instill new life in the discussions on the reform of the Security Council” will support your actions to improve the working methods of the IGN.
 
I thank you.