拒否権の使用に関する総会討論における山﨑大使ステートメント

 
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting.
 
As has been mentioned repeatedly, the veto is a prerogative of significant influence and accordingly it must be exercised for the sole purpose of maintaining international peace and security. In this regard, it is deplorable that a permanent member of the Security Council continues to invade a sovereign Member State in contravention of the UN Charter while protecting its own national position through the use or threat of use of the veto. This has seriously undermined the legitimacy of the Security Council and trust in the UN. Japan reiterates the need to fully implement and adhere to all provisions of the Charter as they relate to the decision-making process in the Council, including Article 27 (3) of the Charter, as stipulated in the Pact for the Future.

Mr. President,
 
In light of the present circumstances, endeavors to limit the scope and use of the veto are a significant undertaking.    In this regard, Japan reaffirms that the “Political Declaration on Suspension of Veto Powers in Cases of Mass Atrocity” initiated by France and Mexico as well as the ACT Group’s “Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes” are valuable initiatives. Japan would also like to welcome the United Kingdom’s joining the aforementioned veto initiative led by France and Mexico, which reaffirms the UK’s longstanding commitment to the responsible use of the veto.  Japan continues to urge all permanent Council members who have not done so to commit to voluntary restraint on the use of the veto without delay, and to implement this commitment accordingly.
 
Mr. President,
 
Despite all these valuable initiatives, Japan must point out that they have proven insufficient to prevent the irresponsible use of the veto. We reiterate the importance of a more fundamental reform of the Security Council to address the existing imbalance within the Council, including the veto.
 
It has already been two years since the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which recognized the urgent need for Security Council reform. To make the Council truly representative, legitimate and effective, the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, which is supported by a majority of Member States, must be reflected in a balanced and equitable manner in the reform process going forward. Japan is committed to contributing constructively to advancing the process together with the wider UN membership.
 
I thank you.