(As delivered)
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council On the
Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question
12 July 2016
Distinguished colleagues,
The Middle East is in turmoil, plagued by a whole series of challenges such as terrorism, social unrest, political turmoil and prolonged conflicts that are causing innumerable deaths of the innocent as well as millions of refugees and IDPs throughout the region and beyond. The situation in the Middle East is undoubtedly a crucial issue that the international community must face up to. The region’s instability casts a shadow over the whole world, most notably by triggering and spreading violent extremism. The menace of terrorism is greater than ever and crises in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen are causing intolerable humanitarian miseries. The work of the Security Council has never been as important as it is today.
Behind all this is the weakening of, or in some cases, the collapse of governance in recent years. Most of the problems the region now faces, including the conflicts and the spread of violent extremism, were initiated or exacerbated by the weakening of governance.
Distinguished colleagues,
Today, many views were expressed as to what is to be blamed for the problems or what immediate actions need to be taken by certain parties. But I would like to focus my statement what the international community should, and can, do today to deal with the failure of the governance which is key to the problem.
Restoration of governance and strengthening of social cohesion in the Middle East, whether in Syria, Iraq, Yemen or Libya, is vital to tackling the spread of violent extremism and improving the humanitarian situation. With regard to Syria, the Security Council bears a primary responsibility to facilitate a political transition to establish credible, inclusive and non-sectarian government as stated in Resolution 2254. As for Iraq, we are witnessing the counter-ISIL operation in progress, but there still remains much to do for stabilizing the freed areas and achieving national reconciliation.
Utmost efforts must be made to strengthen governance in the Middle East in order to prevent a cycle of violence and the growth of violent extremism. The Security Council must underline this point and encourage efforts toward this objective. The key factors for a stable society in the Middle East, a region of remarkable diversity, are “inclusiveness” and “coexistence”. In this regard, the efforts towards national reconciliation, administrative reform, and fiscal consolidation, such as the efforts pursued in Iraq, would be an important achievement for creating a form of governance and society sustained by “inclusiveness” and “coexistence.”
Marginalization and exclusion is what we must strive to eradicate in order to realize “inclusiveness” and “coexistence.” Two years ago, a Syrian man Abu Sultan and his family escaped from their country and managed to make their way to a refugee camp in Mafraq, Jordan, overcoming one hardship after another. For a man who had been a teacher for 25 years in Syria, it was disheartening to see how children at the camp were idling about at the camp all day. In a situation where turmoil and uncertainty weighed heavily on people’s minds, providing education for children was not necessarily a natural priority of parents. Mr. Abu Sultan, who managed to find a relatively stable foothold at the camp after he registered for the WFP food aid program sponsored by Japan, decided to give children education opportunities, starting with teaching them how to read and write.
Education is a great equalizer. It helps children in conflict zones stand on common ground with those less affected by the conflict and help alleviate the risk of marginalization. We must support people like Abu Sultan and potential partners like him, stand up and help others stand on their own.
Colleagues,
Under the principle of “the best way is in the middle” that Prime Minister Abe announced, Japan is making efforts to contribute to building a “tolerant and stable society” in the region. Our contribution reflects the guiding principles of “inclusiveness” and “coexistence.”
We believe that such efforts should include three primary focal points. Firstly, we must focus on assistance towards social stability and enhancing governance in the region. Secondly, we focus on humanitarian assistance. These include supporting the return and reintegration of refugees and IDPs, and assistance for social stability of the neighboring host countries. This is sadly lagging in reality. Thirdly, we focus on developing human capital which would contribute to prevent the marginalization of people caused by unemployment or lack of education.
In concluding, I would like to stress that dialogue and trust building are also critical for restoring order in the region. These include those between Israel and Palestine, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and cross-sectarian dialogue at every level of society. These are efforts made in this international community, must continue to make the utmost efforts to make them possible and Japan is ready and willing to work to this end.
In closing, I would like to reiterate that Japan as a member of the Security Council will vigorously work towards the peace, stability and prosperity of the Middle East in close cooperation and coordination with the United Nations and the international community.
