UNRWAプレッジング会合における大菅大使ステートメント

Mr. President,
 
I wish to start by thanking you for convening today’s meeting for the first time in New York in three years. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General for his remarks, and to the Commissioner-General for his briefing.
 
Japan sees the activities of UNRWA as crucial for humanitarian ends and for the stability in the region. We highly commend the dedicated efforts of UNRWA staff on the ground.
 
Despite their best efforts, however, the complex environment in which the Agency operates seems to turn even more challenging, especially due to the global impacts of the situation in Ukraine. Millions of Palestine refugees are barely able to cope with the rising prices of food, fuel, and other daily necessities, even as the human security crisis caused by COVID-19 has not yet abated. 
 
Mr. President,
 
In the midst of such difficulties, Japan will continue to support the people of Palestine through UNRWA and help the Agency carry out its responsibilities. Japan decided on April 1 to contribute additional 3.35 million US dollars to UNRWA for humanitarian assistance including food aid. With this, Japan’s total contribution to UNRWA in 2022, as of today, amounts to 23 million US dollars.
 
To support Palestine refugees affected by the global food crisis caused by the situation in Ukraine, the Japanese government is considering further additional food assistance through UNRWA.
 
Taking this opportunity, I would like to emphasize three critical requirements for the future of UNRWA.
 
First, Japan calls for further international efforts, especially by the countries in the region and other traditional donors to UNRWA, to implement what they have already pledged and make fresh contributions to the Agency as it continues to face chronic financial difficulties.
 
Second, to make UNRWA’s important work sustainable in the mid- to long-term, it is important to strengthen the efforts to diversify the donor base. In this regard, Japan has been inviting Asian countries, including through the framework of CEAPAD, the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, to be more actively engaged in and contribute to the work of the Agency.
 
Third and most importantly, Japan expects UNRWA to continue its efforts to improve its efficiency, transparency and accountability. Japan appreciates the efforts towards organizational transformation undertaken by the Commissioner-General, and encourages the Agency to strive for further reforms to effectively deliver for those most in need.
 
Let me conclude by reaffirming that Japan stands ready to assist the Agency to continue to serve the greatest needs of the Palestine refugees.
 
Thank you.