「アフガニスタンにおける経済崩壊防止及び復興・開発の展望探求」に関する安保理アリア・フォーミュラ会合における玉浦参事官ステートメント

Thank you, Ambassador, and the Russian delegation for organizing this meeting. I would also like to express our gratitude to the briefers for your valuable inputs, and our respect for your dedicated work on the ground.
 
The Afghan economy has suffered a massive contraction. The World Bank predicts that by the end of this year, the GDP of the country will be 30% lower than in FY2020. According to the UN, 97% of the population has fallen below the poverty line, and 24 million people, or 60% of the total population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
 
Since August last year, Japan has set up support for humanitarian and basic human needs and continued engagement with the Taliban as a pillar of our Afghanistan policy. But if the economy continues to stagnate, it will offset any humanitarian assistance, and the people of Afghanistan will continue to suffer.
 
In order to prevent such a vicious cycle, there must be enhanced efforts to save and revive the Afghan economy by the relevant authorities and international actors. Japan would like to work closely with the international community regarding whether or to what extent we should go beyond assistance for humanitarian and basic human needs. At the same time, we must strengthen our efforts to urge the Taliban to deliver on the key commitments that they have made to the Afghan people and the international community, such as respecting the human rights of all Afghans including women, children and minorities and cutting off ties to terrorism. Also, the path towards an inclusive dialogue among all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders is still far from complete.
 
Under the current circumstances, the most important action for the Taliban is to work towards gaining the trust of the people of Afghanistan by making progress on these issues, which in turn will help restore trust internationally. We, the international community, should continue to closely observe any progress made by the Taliban and creatively discuss what role we can play.
 
All of our efforts for economic stability must be directed toward alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people. The work of establishing the so-called “Afghan Fund” by the United States in coordination with Switzerland to utilize the assets belonging to the Afghan people for their benefit is an attempt in line with this notion, and Japan welcomes the initiative.
 
I would like to conclude by reemphasizing Japan's commitment to continue to stand by the Afghan people. Japan will also keep supporting the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN agencies who work for the well-being of the Afghan people.
 
I thank you.