「地雷対策と平和の持続」に関する安保理公開討論における石兼大使ステートメント
令和3年4月8日
Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this important meeting and I am grateful to the briefers for their remarks.
The Security Council is actively engaged on mine action, as embodied in Resolution 2365, adopted by consensus in 2017, which Japan co-sponsored as a member of the Council at that time. Regrettably, though, mines and other explosives continue to cause casualties around the world, particularly in conflict areas such as Afghanistan and Yemen. It is therefore of great importance that the Council revisits this critical topic to renew its determination to tackle this threat to peace, security, and stability of States.
At the same time, Mines are first and foremost a serious threat to human security. It was the human security concerns advocated by civil society that paved the way for the adoption of the Ottawa Convention and its entry into force in 1999. Despite significant progress over the past two decades, including the steady destruction of stockpiles and continual decreases of minefields in most affected countries, landmines continue to threaten the lives, livelihoods and dignity of local populations and hinder the realization of human security.
According to Landmine Monitor, at least 5,554 casualties of mines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and improvised explosive devices (IED) combined, including 2,170 deaths, were recorded in 2019 in 55 states and other areas. Mine action saves lives. Effective mine action also contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda and honoring our commitment to leaving no one behind. Human security should be an integral part of our considerations when seeking progress on mine action.
Mr. President,
Japan has long made mine action support a diplomatic priority. Japan emphasizes three areas: continuous support to countries that are seriously affected by anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO); promotion of regional and South-South cooperation; and comprehensive support to victims and survivors.
In 2019 alone, we provided assistance in 23 countries and regions, amounting to approximately 37 million US dollars, in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), other related international organizations, and NGOs. Our overall contribution to mine action programs in the 5 years to 2019 amounted to more than 212 million US dollars. Most recently, in February, Japan decided to contribute over 4 million US dollars to UNMAS for enhancing the counter-IED and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities of the Somali Police Force, so that more Somalis will be protected against the threat of IEDs.
Mr. President,
The international targets of mine action were renewed at the 4th Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention in 2019. Japan is fully committed to contributing to the implementation of the Oslo Action Plan towards realizing “a mine-free world to the fullest extent possible” by 2025 and will continue to support victims and survivors. Japan also calls on all states that have not signed and concluded the Ottawa Treaty to do so at the earliest opportunity. Japan will continue to play an active role on mine action in collaboration with the United Nations, Member States and civil society organizations.
I thank you.
I thank you for convening this important meeting and I am grateful to the briefers for their remarks.
The Security Council is actively engaged on mine action, as embodied in Resolution 2365, adopted by consensus in 2017, which Japan co-sponsored as a member of the Council at that time. Regrettably, though, mines and other explosives continue to cause casualties around the world, particularly in conflict areas such as Afghanistan and Yemen. It is therefore of great importance that the Council revisits this critical topic to renew its determination to tackle this threat to peace, security, and stability of States.
At the same time, Mines are first and foremost a serious threat to human security. It was the human security concerns advocated by civil society that paved the way for the adoption of the Ottawa Convention and its entry into force in 1999. Despite significant progress over the past two decades, including the steady destruction of stockpiles and continual decreases of minefields in most affected countries, landmines continue to threaten the lives, livelihoods and dignity of local populations and hinder the realization of human security.
According to Landmine Monitor, at least 5,554 casualties of mines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and improvised explosive devices (IED) combined, including 2,170 deaths, were recorded in 2019 in 55 states and other areas. Mine action saves lives. Effective mine action also contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda and honoring our commitment to leaving no one behind. Human security should be an integral part of our considerations when seeking progress on mine action.
Mr. President,
Japan has long made mine action support a diplomatic priority. Japan emphasizes three areas: continuous support to countries that are seriously affected by anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO); promotion of regional and South-South cooperation; and comprehensive support to victims and survivors.
In 2019 alone, we provided assistance in 23 countries and regions, amounting to approximately 37 million US dollars, in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), other related international organizations, and NGOs. Our overall contribution to mine action programs in the 5 years to 2019 amounted to more than 212 million US dollars. Most recently, in February, Japan decided to contribute over 4 million US dollars to UNMAS for enhancing the counter-IED and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities of the Somali Police Force, so that more Somalis will be protected against the threat of IEDs.
Mr. President,
The international targets of mine action were renewed at the 4th Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention in 2019. Japan is fully committed to contributing to the implementation of the Oslo Action Plan towards realizing “a mine-free world to the fullest extent possible” by 2025 and will continue to support victims and survivors. Japan also calls on all states that have not signed and concluded the Ottawa Treaty to do so at the earliest opportunity. Japan will continue to play an active role on mine action in collaboration with the United Nations, Member States and civil society organizations.
I thank you.