安保理改革に関する政府間交渉（IGN）における山﨑大使ステートメント

Co-Chairs,
 
Japan aligns with Brazil’s statement on behalf of the G4.
 
We thank you once again for circulating the draft Elements Paper for this year’s IGN session, and giving us an opportunity for comment.
 
The 2024 IGN session has been a truly remarkable one, thanks to the structured dialogue on models, which allowed us to discuss each model in a concrete and intensive manner, comprehensively covering the five clusters.
 
Through this innovative approach, we certainly achieved a deeper and clearer understanding on each proposal, even though we have not seen any major change in each other’s fundamental position yet.
 
Co-Chairs,
 
This year’s IGN is particularly important because of the work on a draft paragraph for the Pact for the Future. We believe that since the IGN does not have a single consolidated negotiating document to reflect the common understanding of the Member States, your Elements Paper should contribute to the drafting of the input to the Pact. In this regard, the Elements Paper must accurately reflect the current status of the IGN, including specific elements which the majority of Member States supported during the series of model discussions.
 
Japan is convinced that the following ideas clearly have majority support among the Member States:

1. First, expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect contemporary realities; and
2. Second, voluntary restraint on the exercise of the veto in certain cases.

 Therefore, we appreciate that the Co-Chairs mention these in the draft, but we would be more grateful if you could provide clear attribution – especially of who supports an expansion in both categories. I am sure that you are well cognizant, but in our understanding, at a minimum the African Group, the Arab Group, CARICOM, the G4, the L.69 Group, the Nordic Group, the Benelux Group, and four permanent members support the expansion in both categories. Also, widespread, broad-based support for text-based negotiations should be articulated as my Brazilian colleague rightly pointed out.
 
Co-Chairs,
 
Looking ahead to the Summit of the Future this September and the 80^th anniversary of the UN next year, our collective efforts could not be more crucial. We will count on your able leadership as always, and you can count on our full support. We will continue to participate in the IGN actively and constructively, looking forward to the final outcome of this year.
 
I thank you.