国連総会PKO特別委員会（C-34）における鯰大使ステートメント

Mr. Chairman,
 
I would like to express my appreciation for your leadership in convening this general debate. My delegation stands ready to cooperate with you in my role as Vice-Chair of this Special Committee.
 
The year 2020 was marked by unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. The dedication and courage of peacekeepers has been invaluable to the continuation of mandate implementation in this difficult time. I would also like to thank the efforts by the Secretariat to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic and ensure business continuity in the field missions.
 
In addition, peacekeepers have been facing an increasingly demanding and volatile security landscape. It is totally unacceptable that ten peacekeepers were killed by malicious acts since the beginning of this year. We condemn in the strongest terms attacks against peacekeepers.
 
Given the severe situations peacekeepers are facing, Japan would like to highlight during this C34 session the significance of partnership and safety and security.
 
First, adequate pre-deployment training is fundamental for ensuring the safety and security of personnel. Important areas include basic first aid, counter-IED, and healthcare management including on COVID-19. We praise the support provided by the Departments of Peace Operations and Operational Support in this regard. In addition, effective partnerships on training and capacity-building between Member States must be pursued through multilateral or bilateral arrangements such as the Triangular Partnership Programme and the Light Coordination Mechanism.
 
Second, full utilization of innovative technologies is key to ensuring that peacekeepers can safely and securely implement their mission mandates. This is particularly the case for remote technologies such as telehealth and various Peacekeeping-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance tools. Information and communication technologies are also critical in allowing the missions to engage with host communities in a safe manner via online platforms.
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
We will mark the third anniversary of the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative next month. I hope the upcoming discussions in the C34 will provide momentum and guidance for the new phase “Action for Peacekeeping Plus”.
 
I also hope that the coming Peacekeeping Ministerial will serve as an important opportunity to transform the achievements of the C34 into tangible and concrete outcomes. Japan will contribute to the event including through co-hosting the preparatory meeting on training and capacity-building with Ethiopia and Indonesia. We thank the Republic of Korea for hosting this important conference and also look forward to working with other Member States.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.