(As delivered)

Statement by H. E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Informal Meeting with the Secretary-General-Designate
19 October 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. António Guterres on his appointment as Secretary-General.

 

The message I would like to convey to him is simple.  We look to you, Mr. Guterres, for strong leadership as Secretary-General. 

 

Japan attaches importance to all three pillars of UN, Peace and Security, Sustainable Development and Human Rights.  But today I would like to focus on three issues related to Peace and Security.

 

The first point is nuclear and missile non-proliferation. The DPRK has persisted in developing its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities in grave violation of its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions. This poses a clear threat to international peace and security, and a challenge to the UN system. Japan would like to ask you to play an active role towards achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and East Asia.

 

The second is regional conflicts.  Unfortunately, the international community has not been able to find effective solutions on key regional conflicts which are causing serious humanitarian tragedies. We hope that the Secretary-General will talk directly and proactively with the parties concerned and come up with specific proposals to the Security Council and to the UN membership.

 

The last point is the reform of the Security Council. We hope the Secretary-General would take initiatives towards finding solutions on this important issue. As one of your predecessors Kofi Annan said: “Without reforming the Security Council, reform of the United Nations will not be concluded.” I would like to call for your concrete actions.

 

Japan fully supports you and looks forward to working closely with you during your tenure.

 

I thank you.