拉致問題に関するオンライン国連シンポジウムにおける山﨑和之国連日本政府常駐代表による開会の辞・閉会の辞
令和8年6月24日
Opening Remarks
His Excellency Mr. FURUYA Keiji,
Fellow Permanent Representatives to the United Nations,
Dear speakers, panelists, ladies and gentlemen,
I am honored to co-host today’s Symposium alongside the distinguished Ambassadors of the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union.
Our collective attention and commitment play a vital role in resolving the abductions issue, and their participation highlights the continued support of the international community in addressing this critical issue.
Japan has been actively working towards the immediate resolution of this issue on the international stage in close collaboration with partners, including at the United Nations. We must continue to strengthen awareness of the urgent and humanitarian nature of the abductions issue, particularly when considering the tremendous suffering that the victims and their families have endured over the years.
The international community has repeatedly urged North Korea to resolve the abductions issue immediately. This call is reflected in the annual UN General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK, adopted by consensus by UN member states.
In this regard, I would like to highlight the report issued by OHCHR last fall on the update since 2014 on the situation of human rights in the DPRK. The report noted that no progress has been made on improving the human rights situation and there has been no resolution of the abductions issue. This assessment also underscores the urgent need to redouble our collective efforts.
Today’s discussion provides the valuable opportunity to hear directly from the families of victims from Japan, the United States, and Thailand. We are also joined by leading international experts, whose insight will assist in seeking every avenue towards immediate resolution and stressing its urgency to the international community.
I trust that today’s discussion will contribute to raising further awareness of the abductions issue in the international community and will accelerate momentum towards our common objective.
Thank you.
Closing Remarks
Excellencies, distinguished representatives, speakers, panelists, and participants,
Thank you all for the insightful and informative discussion we have had today.
I would especially like to thank the distinguished Ambassadors from the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union for their strong messages of support. This broad engagement reflects a unified voice calling for an end to this humanitarian and human rights violation, strengthening the international call for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
We also heard heartfelt testimonies from families from Japan, the United States, and Thailand. Their stories and perseverance through suffering remind us of the sanctity of the individual human lives that are at stake regarding this issue.
I would also like to sincerely thank the esteemed panelists for their deep and thoughtful contributions. Their knowledge and experience are crucial in shaping our strategy and broadening understanding.
To conclude, I reiterate Japan's unwavering commitment to exerting every effort toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. We must further strengthen our engagement and collaboration toward our shared goal.
Thank you.
Thank you all for the insightful and informative discussion we have had today.
I would especially like to thank the distinguished Ambassadors from the United States, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the European Union for their strong messages of support. This broad engagement reflects a unified voice calling for an end to this humanitarian and human rights violation, strengthening the international call for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
We also heard heartfelt testimonies from families from Japan, the United States, and Thailand. Their stories and perseverance through suffering remind us of the sanctity of the individual human lives that are at stake regarding this issue.
I would also like to sincerely thank the esteemed panelists for their deep and thoughtful contributions. Their knowledge and experience are crucial in shaping our strategy and broadening understanding.
To conclude, I reiterate Japan's unwavering commitment to exerting every effort toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. We must further strengthen our engagement and collaboration toward our shared goal.
Thank you.