地雷対策に関する平和構築委員会（PBC)大使級会合における御巫大使ステートメント

Thank you, Mr. Chair.
 
Japan thanks the chair for convening this first-ever PBC meeting on this critical topic. This is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of mine action in peacebuilding and to explore best practices and lessons learned.
 
Mine action not only protects lives, it is an essential component of peacebuilding that supports the safe return of displaced persons and refugees, as well as community recovery through the rehabilitation of land and infrastructure.
 
I would like to make four points.
 
First, it is important to promote comprehensive mine action through a human security approach that emphasizes empowerment and the protection of every individual. Mine action encompasses not only demining activities, but also risk education, victim assistance, and community recovery. From this perspective, Japan remains committed to advancing comprehensive mine action that ensures access to medical care, rehabilitation, and economic opportunities for mine victims, including survivors, thereby strengthening community resilience towards early recovery.
 
Second, national ownership is essential for effective and sustainable mine action. This was one of the priorities of our presidency of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) last year. Based on this principle, Japan has supported the strengthening of demining capabilities in various contexts, including through a contribution of 4.2 million US dollars to UNMAS this year to support Colombia’s mine action efforts.
 
Third, demining activities hold significant potential for South-South and triangular cooperation. In this vein, Japan has been supporting demining efforts in countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan in collaboration with the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), as well as in Ukraine in cooperation with both the CMAC and the Government of Colombia.
 
Lastly, the use of advanced technologies holds great potential for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of mine action. Japan presented a working paper to the 22^nd Meeting of the States Parties to the APMBC last year, highlighting advanced mine action related technologies developed by Japanese companies, including an AI mine detection tool with a high accuracy rate.
 
In conclusion, Japan remains committed to advancing mine action for sustaining peace.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chair.