国連平和活動の将来に関する安保理公開討論における山﨑大使ステートメント

 
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this critically important Open Debate. Taking this opportunity, we wish the presidency of the Republic of Korea every success in the very busy month of September.

I also thank the briefers for their insightful remarks.

UN peace operations face unprecedented challenges: continuing and intensifying geopolitical conflicts and increasing threats from new technologies are coupled with tightening budget constraints.

The review on the future of UN peace operations, together with the UN80 initiative and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, is a great opportunity for us to seriously consider how we can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of peace operations.

In this regard, I would like to highlight three points.

First, peace operations can prove most effective, when there is a clear political strategy, as well as prioritized mandates that are tailored to local realities, adopted and supported by the Security Council and relevant Member States, including host states.

In this regard, strengthening partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations is important. Utilizing the knowledge of experts familiar with regional contexts can lead to more effective operations.

It is also important to accurately and adequately measure and assess the impact of peace operations on the ground. Japan continues to support the A4P monitoring project, including the conduct of local perception surveys to evaluate the effectiveness and credibility of each mission.

Secondly, the safety and security of UN personnel should remain a priority for effectively implementing mandates. Enhanced capacities against the growing threats of IEDs, drones, AI, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, are vital in this regard.

Japan has been working to develop such capabilities of peacekeepers, including by providing training in counter-IED, peacekeeping intelligence, and situational awareness, through the UN Triangular Partnership Programme. Developing the digital infrastructure for telemedicine is along such efforts to ensure the safety of personnel. Strengthening accountability for crimes against peacekeepers is also important.

Lastly, we firmly believe that peace operations must serve the ultimate objective of sustaining peace. From this perspective, Japan, as a Vice Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission this year, has been advocating for greater coordination between the PBC and other organs both within and outside the UN to advance a comprehensive approach to peace.

From the perspective of human security, it is important to ensure the HDP nexus by leveraging the expertise of the UN system, in particular the Resident Coordinators, as well as civil society and international financial institutions. Equally important in peacebuilding and prevention efforts is the inclusive participation of local communities, including women and youth.

In conclusion, we believe that UN peace operations will remain an indispensable and irreplaceable tool for the peaceful settlement of disputes and the maintenance of international peace and security. Under the current financial constraints, it is imperative that we focus on discussing priorities and objectives, as I have outlined today.

As a member of the international community, Japan is determined to embrace the challenges of our moment to build a safer and more peaceful future.

I thank you, Mr. President.