第4回国連SIDS国際会議準備委員会会合（第1回）における中川公使ステートメント
令和6年1月22日
(As delivered)
Mr./Madam Co-chairs,
Thank you for giving me the floor. We commend H.E. Ms. Carolyn Schwalger, Ambassador of New Zealand, and H.E. Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives, on assuming their duties as co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee. We believe that your Excellencies will play excellent leading roles throughout the Preparatory Committee.
I would also like to extend our appreciation to Antigua & Barbuda for generously hosting the SIDS4 conference in St. Jones. Japan is fully committed to actively contributing to the process leading up to the Conference in May.
As we are all aware, the economic, environmental, and social challenges facing SIDS have become increasingly imminent due to the adverse effects of climate change, including sea level rise, and the negative impact of the pandemic. We need to address these urgent challenges at the next SIDS Conference. We are pleased to announce that Japan will contribute $150,000 USD as our voluntary contribution for the SIDS4 Conference. Moreover, we think it is important that the outcome document is consensus-based, in order to send a clear message to the international community.
With this understanding, allow us to touch upon Japan’s basic ideas on the issues to be outlined in the outcome document.
Overall, when considering ways to address the various challenges faced by SIDS, we firmly believe that respect for human dignity, particularly through the approach of human security, is a useful catalyst to accelerate our joint efforts.
As for specific themes, we would like to raise six points.
First, climate change is a critical issue that international community needs to address collectively with a view to vulnerable countries, such as SIDS. In this connection, the voluntary transfer of environmentally-sound technologies, especially those related to renewable energy and energy saving, is becoming important.
Second, building a disaster-resilient-society is also crucial for SIDS. Relevant infrastructure, including observation equipment and early warning systems, together with education and training for safe evacuation are important in this respect.
Third, the sustainable use of marine resources should be promoted through rule-making within international and regional frameworks supported by technical cooperation. In order to address issues related to marine litter, we should affirm our commitment to end plastic pollution, with the ambition to reduce additional plastic pollution to zero by 2040 and constructively engage in the ongoing negotiations at the INC (Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee) to that end.
Fourth, SIDS are rich in biodiversity, especially in their oceans. The full implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in 2022 and the achievement of each of its goals and targets, including the "30 by 30" target are vital. For this purpose, Japan has decided to contribute 650 million Yen to the GBF Fund.
Fifth, in regard to health, SIDS are facing the double burden of infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCD). Access to essential health services, as well as increased financial protection, play central roles in achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
Finally, it should be noted that the economy and society of SIDS will greatly benefit from enhanced empowerment of women.
To conclude, we look forward to having a fruitful discussion in the months to come.
I thank you.
Thank you for giving me the floor. We commend H.E. Ms. Carolyn Schwalger, Ambassador of New Zealand, and H.E. Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives, on assuming their duties as co-chairs of the Preparatory Committee. We believe that your Excellencies will play excellent leading roles throughout the Preparatory Committee.
I would also like to extend our appreciation to Antigua & Barbuda for generously hosting the SIDS4 conference in St. Jones. Japan is fully committed to actively contributing to the process leading up to the Conference in May.
As we are all aware, the economic, environmental, and social challenges facing SIDS have become increasingly imminent due to the adverse effects of climate change, including sea level rise, and the negative impact of the pandemic. We need to address these urgent challenges at the next SIDS Conference. We are pleased to announce that Japan will contribute $150,000 USD as our voluntary contribution for the SIDS4 Conference. Moreover, we think it is important that the outcome document is consensus-based, in order to send a clear message to the international community.
With this understanding, allow us to touch upon Japan’s basic ideas on the issues to be outlined in the outcome document.
Overall, when considering ways to address the various challenges faced by SIDS, we firmly believe that respect for human dignity, particularly through the approach of human security, is a useful catalyst to accelerate our joint efforts.
As for specific themes, we would like to raise six points.
First, climate change is a critical issue that international community needs to address collectively with a view to vulnerable countries, such as SIDS. In this connection, the voluntary transfer of environmentally-sound technologies, especially those related to renewable energy and energy saving, is becoming important.
Second, building a disaster-resilient-society is also crucial for SIDS. Relevant infrastructure, including observation equipment and early warning systems, together with education and training for safe evacuation are important in this respect.
Third, the sustainable use of marine resources should be promoted through rule-making within international and regional frameworks supported by technical cooperation. In order to address issues related to marine litter, we should affirm our commitment to end plastic pollution, with the ambition to reduce additional plastic pollution to zero by 2040 and constructively engage in the ongoing negotiations at the INC (Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee) to that end.
Fourth, SIDS are rich in biodiversity, especially in their oceans. The full implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in 2022 and the achievement of each of its goals and targets, including the "30 by 30" target are vital. For this purpose, Japan has decided to contribute 650 million Yen to the GBF Fund.
Fifth, in regard to health, SIDS are facing the double burden of infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCD). Access to essential health services, as well as increased financial protection, play central roles in achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
Finally, it should be noted that the economy and society of SIDS will greatly benefit from enhanced empowerment of women.
To conclude, we look forward to having a fruitful discussion in the months to come.
I thank you.