第76回国連総会第二委員会一般討論演説における木村大使ステートメント
令和3年10月6日
Madam Chair,
I wish to congratulate you, Ambassador Frazier of Malta, and other Bureau members on your new appointments. I also wish to thank Ambassador Rai of Nepal and the previous Bureau members for their excellent work.
No one would argue against the significance of the work of this Committee against the backdrop of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. The modalities of work strike a delicate balance between the effectiveness of this Committee and safety measures. Japan will continue to engage constructively, as always, in the important discussions of this Committee.
Madam Chair,
COVID-19 has posed and continues to pose serious threat to human security. We should embrace human security as an overarching concept to tackle this and other challenges to the survival, livelihood and dignity of people, by taking inclusive measures focusing on the protection and empowerment of individuals, in particular the most vulnerable people. “Save as many lives as possible and leave no one's health behind.” This has been Japan’s conviction throughout the pandemic.
Based on this conviction, Japan co-hosted the COVAX AMC Summit last June, and secured funds, including USD 1 billion from Japan, to provide over 1.8 billion vaccine doses for developing economies. At the UNGA last month, Japan announced that it will provide up to approximately 60 million doses of vaccine in total including through the COVAX Facility. Moreover, Japan will steadily implement “Last One Mile Support”, including providing cold chain equipment such as cold-storage facilities and transportation to ensure the delivery of vaccines in each country and region. Through these initiatives, Japan provides some USD 3.9 billion of assistance, and will continue to make every effort to overcome COVID-19 globally.
In this connection, the need to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), along with equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, is more pressing than ever. Our Leaders committed to realizing UHC by 2030 in the political declaration adopted at the UNGA High-level Meeting on UHC in 2019. Japan is fully committed to lead international efforts to achieve UHC, under the principle of human security, and contribute to the next High-level Meeting on UHC to be held in 2023. Furthermore, Japan will host Tokyo Nutrition Summit for Growth this December and hopes to promote the discussions on malnutrition in all its forms to ensure optimal health, food, resilience, and prosperity for all
Madam Chair,
Let me touch upon Japan’s policies on other priority issues.
First, climate change is an imminent challenge that calls for the collective efforts of humanity. Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels, towards the long-term goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will provide climate finance, both public and private, to developing countries, totaling approximately USD 60 billion over the next five years. With these efforts, Japan will contribute to the success of COP26 to achieve global decarbonization and create a green and sustainable society.
Second, disaster risk reduction should be mainstreamed throughout the sustainable development agenda, as disasters can nullify years of gains in an instant. Japan will continue to promote implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The mid-term review of the Sendai Framework in 2023 will be an important opportunity to promote disaster preparedness and the concept of "build back better". It is necessary to agree upon the details of the meeting for the mid-term review as soon as possible.
Third, financing for development conducive to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth is of utmost importance. Japan hopes that this Committee will deepen the discussions on how to enhance the transparency of public finance and to mobilize private resources to build back better from the negative socio-economic impacts of the ongoing crisis. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) raised last month JPY 20 billion, approximately USD 180 million, through the issuance of gender bonds, as a type of social bonds, aiming to promote empowerment of women and realize gender equality. We should take stock of concrete actions by the Member States and ensure that the development finance, both domestic and international, is effectively contributing to the promotion of human security and welfare of those in need.
Lastly, human-centered digital cooperation and innovation are the key to achieving the SDGs. Through this Committee, Japan aims to deepen the discussion on the importance of digital cooperation and inclusive and credible science, technology, and innovation (STI) in promoting sustainable development.
With regards to the issue of the ALPS treated water at Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station, the Government of Japan has been sharing relevant information concerning its handling with the international community, including through periodical briefings and meetings of IAEA and other organizations. The Government of Japan will continue to transparently explain its efforts to the international community, and cooperate with the IAEA towards the implementation of the reviews. Japan is willing to discuss the details based on scientific evidence at appropriate fora with relevant expertise.
Madam Chair,
Before concluding, let me reiterate our position that programme budget implications need to be scrutinized in all draft resolutions with a view to using limited resources effectively and efficiently. Japan looks forward to the constructive discussions in this Committee with a view to making tangible progress toward achieving 2030 Agenda.
Thank you.
I wish to congratulate you, Ambassador Frazier of Malta, and other Bureau members on your new appointments. I also wish to thank Ambassador Rai of Nepal and the previous Bureau members for their excellent work.
No one would argue against the significance of the work of this Committee against the backdrop of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. The modalities of work strike a delicate balance between the effectiveness of this Committee and safety measures. Japan will continue to engage constructively, as always, in the important discussions of this Committee.
Madam Chair,
COVID-19 has posed and continues to pose serious threat to human security. We should embrace human security as an overarching concept to tackle this and other challenges to the survival, livelihood and dignity of people, by taking inclusive measures focusing on the protection and empowerment of individuals, in particular the most vulnerable people. “Save as many lives as possible and leave no one's health behind.” This has been Japan’s conviction throughout the pandemic.
Based on this conviction, Japan co-hosted the COVAX AMC Summit last June, and secured funds, including USD 1 billion from Japan, to provide over 1.8 billion vaccine doses for developing economies. At the UNGA last month, Japan announced that it will provide up to approximately 60 million doses of vaccine in total including through the COVAX Facility. Moreover, Japan will steadily implement “Last One Mile Support”, including providing cold chain equipment such as cold-storage facilities and transportation to ensure the delivery of vaccines in each country and region. Through these initiatives, Japan provides some USD 3.9 billion of assistance, and will continue to make every effort to overcome COVID-19 globally.
In this connection, the need to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), along with equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, is more pressing than ever. Our Leaders committed to realizing UHC by 2030 in the political declaration adopted at the UNGA High-level Meeting on UHC in 2019. Japan is fully committed to lead international efforts to achieve UHC, under the principle of human security, and contribute to the next High-level Meeting on UHC to be held in 2023. Furthermore, Japan will host Tokyo Nutrition Summit for Growth this December and hopes to promote the discussions on malnutrition in all its forms to ensure optimal health, food, resilience, and prosperity for all
Madam Chair,
Let me touch upon Japan’s policies on other priority issues.
First, climate change is an imminent challenge that calls for the collective efforts of humanity. Japan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels, towards the long-term goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will provide climate finance, both public and private, to developing countries, totaling approximately USD 60 billion over the next five years. With these efforts, Japan will contribute to the success of COP26 to achieve global decarbonization and create a green and sustainable society.
Second, disaster risk reduction should be mainstreamed throughout the sustainable development agenda, as disasters can nullify years of gains in an instant. Japan will continue to promote implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The mid-term review of the Sendai Framework in 2023 will be an important opportunity to promote disaster preparedness and the concept of "build back better". It is necessary to agree upon the details of the meeting for the mid-term review as soon as possible.
Third, financing for development conducive to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth is of utmost importance. Japan hopes that this Committee will deepen the discussions on how to enhance the transparency of public finance and to mobilize private resources to build back better from the negative socio-economic impacts of the ongoing crisis. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) raised last month JPY 20 billion, approximately USD 180 million, through the issuance of gender bonds, as a type of social bonds, aiming to promote empowerment of women and realize gender equality. We should take stock of concrete actions by the Member States and ensure that the development finance, both domestic and international, is effectively contributing to the promotion of human security and welfare of those in need.
Lastly, human-centered digital cooperation and innovation are the key to achieving the SDGs. Through this Committee, Japan aims to deepen the discussion on the importance of digital cooperation and inclusive and credible science, technology, and innovation (STI) in promoting sustainable development.
With regards to the issue of the ALPS treated water at Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station, the Government of Japan has been sharing relevant information concerning its handling with the international community, including through periodical briefings and meetings of IAEA and other organizations. The Government of Japan will continue to transparently explain its efforts to the international community, and cooperate with the IAEA towards the implementation of the reviews. Japan is willing to discuss the details based on scientific evidence at appropriate fora with relevant expertise.
Madam Chair,
Before concluding, let me reiterate our position that programme budget implications need to be scrutinized in all draft resolutions with a view to using limited resources effectively and efficiently. Japan looks forward to the constructive discussions in this Committee with a view to making tangible progress toward achieving 2030 Agenda.
Thank you.