平和構築委員会(PBC)コロンビアに関する大使級会合における石兼大使ステートメント
令和4年4月13日
(As delivered)
Thank you Madame Chair. I also thank H.E Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia, and other briefers for their inputs.
While each case is rooted in its own specific contexts, I believe Columbia can be a shining example of peacebuilding with its best practices. I would like to highlight three points.
First, utmost priority should be given to reinstating peaceful society. Japan welcomes the steady progress of former combatants’ participation in productive projects. However, the social stability requires a wide range of measures. Japan has supported the projects aimed at protecting and empowering the most vulnerable population. President emphasized the importance of roles to be played by victim. We keep this in mind.
We cannot let the refugees from Venezuela or the COVID-19 pandemic disrupt the efforts to consolidate peace. To date, Japan has contributed 16 million USD to help the Venezuelan refugees in Columbia through UNHCR and others. In February this year, Japan decided to contribute 1 million USD for COVID-19 response through UNICEF.
Second, I wish to reiterate the critical importance of institution building. Japan commends Columbia’s initiative to strengthen its judicial system. Effective institutions are essential for gaining the public trust to the government.
My last point is financing. I was encouraged to learn President’s leadership in this regard. As to UN, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Colombia has collected almost 200 million USD since 2016. I was even more encouraged by the fact that this UN Trust Fund was only one of the five channels assigned to the Colombian Peace Fund established by the Government of Columbia. Good to hear private sector’s participation. Peacebuilding can only succeed with the strong ownership of the country concerned, as we witness today under the leadership of President Duque.
To conclude, I would like to assure you of Japan’s full commitment to supporting Colombia, in partnership with the UN and other stakeholders.
Thank you.
While each case is rooted in its own specific contexts, I believe Columbia can be a shining example of peacebuilding with its best practices. I would like to highlight three points.
First, utmost priority should be given to reinstating peaceful society. Japan welcomes the steady progress of former combatants’ participation in productive projects. However, the social stability requires a wide range of measures. Japan has supported the projects aimed at protecting and empowering the most vulnerable population. President emphasized the importance of roles to be played by victim. We keep this in mind.
We cannot let the refugees from Venezuela or the COVID-19 pandemic disrupt the efforts to consolidate peace. To date, Japan has contributed 16 million USD to help the Venezuelan refugees in Columbia through UNHCR and others. In February this year, Japan decided to contribute 1 million USD for COVID-19 response through UNICEF.
Second, I wish to reiterate the critical importance of institution building. Japan commends Columbia’s initiative to strengthen its judicial system. Effective institutions are essential for gaining the public trust to the government.
My last point is financing. I was encouraged to learn President’s leadership in this regard. As to UN, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Colombia has collected almost 200 million USD since 2016. I was even more encouraged by the fact that this UN Trust Fund was only one of the five channels assigned to the Colombian Peace Fund established by the Government of Columbia. Good to hear private sector’s participation. Peacebuilding can only succeed with the strong ownership of the country concerned, as we witness today under the leadership of President Duque.
To conclude, I would like to assure you of Japan’s full commitment to supporting Colombia, in partnership with the UN and other stakeholders.
Thank you.