第74回国連総会第4委員会議題47「地雷対策支援」に関する山浦元気専門調査員によるステートメント
令和元年10月23日
(As delivered)
Madame Chair,
At the outset, I would like to express Japan’s renewed and unwavering commitment to its support to end the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines. I would also like to commend all those working toward demining for their courage and professionalism.
Japan, as one of the co-sponsors, strongly supports the draft Resolution on Assistance in Mine Action, and I hope that it will be adopted later today by consensus. We thank the Delegation of Poland for their dedicated efforts, and commend the facilitator Ms. Joanna Lalak for her passion, patience and leadership in finalizing this important resolution.
Madame Chair,
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Ottawa Treaty. The treaty was, indeed, a historical achievement in the fight against mine contamination. Today, 164 countries and regions have joined the Treaty, and the “Ottawa spirit” has been steadily universalized.
Nevertheless, the threat of explosive hazards is far from declining. The use of anti-personnel mines continues to pose serious humanitarian risks in affected areas. Urgent actions are needed, in particular, to tackle anti-personnel mines of an improvised nature, which are the main cause of the increase in landmine victims in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
These new challenges remind us of the need for the international community to strengthen mine action efforts, leading to momentum to our collective efforts to eliminate the risks of mines.
Madame Chair,
Japan is of the view that mine action is a prerequisite for peace, security and sustainable development and places great importance on assistance to mine action. We are proud to be the third largest contributing country, with total cumulative contributions from 2013 to 2017 amounting to 235 million US Dollars. The Voluntary Trust Fund of UNMAS has been our major partner in our support in the Middle East and African region.
Madame Chair,
Based on Japan’s experience in supporting mine action, I would like to share with you some essential points in promoting mine action:
- First, urgent actions to tackle the threat of mines of an improvised nature are keenly needed.
- Second, it is important to provide comprehensive support to victims of mines and explosive remnants of war.
- Third, awareness raising on mine action and victim assistance is one of the key elements to push forward our mine action efforts.
- Fourth, national ownership is fundamental to the efficient implementation of mine action.
- Lastly, innovation in mine clearance methodologies together with the utilization of advanced science and technology, should be highlighted.
Madame Chair,
In 2014, we, Member States, set a political goal to realize a “landmine free world by 2025” under the framework of the Ottawa Treaty.
To achieve this goal, collaborative efforts by the international community are still of great importance. Japan will continue to play an active role in mine action in collaboration with the United Nations, the Member States, and civil society organizations.
Thank you, Madame Chair.