安保理作業方法に関する安保理公開ビデオ会合における石兼大使ステートメント
令和2年5月15日
Mr. President,
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Estonian presidency and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG), for organizing this open debate on improving the working methods of the Council, to which Japan has always been deeply committed.
Japan also appreciates the tireless work of current and recent Council members toward the development of this body’s working methods including the adoption of eight new Notes by the President of the Security Council last year under the strong leadership of Kuwait.
Mr. President,
Japan is of the view that in pursuing reforms of the working methods, it is important to strike the right balance between the dual needs for transparency and efficiency. To strengthen the legitimacy of the decisions of the Council, the decision-making process should be as transparent as possible, allowing it to take into account different views from both inside and outside the Council. On the other hand, we should be mindful of our prime objective, which is to enhance the Council’s capacity to take the best action in most efficient and timeliest manner to maintain and restore international peace and security.
Japan also believes that we need to strike the right balance between our ambition and the feasibility. In this respect, we should reflect on whether rules established so far have been fully put into practice. Identifying which items in Note 507 have not been adequately fulfilled, and why, would contribute to estimating the appropriate level of ambitions we should maintain and finding room for further improvement of existing rules. We expect in-depth discussion will take place in the IWG under the slogan of “Action-oriented implementation” proposed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Mr. President,
Japan commends the dedication of China, the Dominican Republic and Estonia in devising and developing the working methods that has enabled the continuation of the work of the Council under the current physical constraints due to the COVID-19. This format, developed to adapt to the context of the current pandemic, would serve as a good basis for considering how the Council could continue operating under similar limitations, for example, when physical meetings cannot be held due to heavy snowfall.
Lastly, we would like to point out that while the working methods are an essential part of Security Council reform, it is not the only one. Ultimately, a comprehensive reform of the Council must include an expansion in its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories to reflect current realities by adding more Member States that have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security. Japan will continue to work with all Member States towards this goal.
I thank you.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Estonian presidency and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG), for organizing this open debate on improving the working methods of the Council, to which Japan has always been deeply committed.
Japan also appreciates the tireless work of current and recent Council members toward the development of this body’s working methods including the adoption of eight new Notes by the President of the Security Council last year under the strong leadership of Kuwait.
Mr. President,
Japan is of the view that in pursuing reforms of the working methods, it is important to strike the right balance between the dual needs for transparency and efficiency. To strengthen the legitimacy of the decisions of the Council, the decision-making process should be as transparent as possible, allowing it to take into account different views from both inside and outside the Council. On the other hand, we should be mindful of our prime objective, which is to enhance the Council’s capacity to take the best action in most efficient and timeliest manner to maintain and restore international peace and security.
Japan also believes that we need to strike the right balance between our ambition and the feasibility. In this respect, we should reflect on whether rules established so far have been fully put into practice. Identifying which items in Note 507 have not been adequately fulfilled, and why, would contribute to estimating the appropriate level of ambitions we should maintain and finding room for further improvement of existing rules. We expect in-depth discussion will take place in the IWG under the slogan of “Action-oriented implementation” proposed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Mr. President,
Japan commends the dedication of China, the Dominican Republic and Estonia in devising and developing the working methods that has enabled the continuation of the work of the Council under the current physical constraints due to the COVID-19. This format, developed to adapt to the context of the current pandemic, would serve as a good basis for considering how the Council could continue operating under similar limitations, for example, when physical meetings cannot be held due to heavy snowfall.
Lastly, we would like to point out that while the working methods are an essential part of Security Council reform, it is not the only one. Ultimately, a comprehensive reform of the Council must include an expansion in its membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories to reflect current realities by adding more Member States that have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security. Japan will continue to work with all Member States towards this goal.
I thank you.