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Statement by Mr. Hajime Kishimori
Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
On the 38th Committee on Information
27 April 2016

 

 

Mr. Chair,    

          

          First, I would like to congratulate you, Ambassador Imnadze, and other members of the bureau, on the leading role that your team continues to play again this year in the Committee on Information. I am confident that through your strong and wise leadership, supported by the able Secretariat, who are “true heroes,” as you said in your statement yesterday, the 38th Session of the Committee will be productive and efficient. As always, Japan extends its full support to you and the bureau of the Committee.

 

          I would also like to extend my gratitude to the able leadership of Ms. Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, as well as to the Department of Public Information (DPI).  I hope that DPI will continue its significant work, under the guidance of Ms. Gallach, in enhancing its effectiveness, efficiency and accountability of the United Nations, while actively engaging in public relations activities.

Mr. Chair,          

                      

          The primary objective of DPI is to increase awareness of the work and activities of the United Nations at the global level. To this end, Japan commends the outreach successfully conducted by DPI through the use of online and printed materials, programs like UN Academic Impact, which focuses on disseminating information about the UN to university students, special events and exhibitions, and the network of UN Information Centres (UNICs) throughout the world. At the same time, however, this objective should be achieved by improving efficiency and transparency through the rationalization of current resources and carrying out activities in a cost neutral manner.

Mr. Chair,

 

          DPI is instrumental to the United Nations as the principal department which communicates the work of Organization to the world’s diverse audience. Without such important work being done effectively and efficiently, the United Nations would not gain the essential support necessary from the international community on the vast activities and efforts of the Organization. I would like to express Japan’s gratitude to DPI for continuously identifying priorities and strategically communicating them to the world in a prompt and timely manner. In particular, I would like to commend the Strategic Communication Division’s management of field offices and the network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) around the world, including UNIC Tokyo.

 

          Acting as the face of the United Nations in Japan, UNIC Tokyo continues its important task of disseminating information about the significant work of the United Nations to the Japanese public. In her capacity as director, Ms. Kaoru Nemoto continues to actively and expertly guide the activities of UNIC Tokyo, which promotes greater support for the United Nations throughout Japan.

 

          This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the United Nations. Japan looks forward to further strengthening its collaboration with, and supporting the activities of, DPI in marking this important historical milestone. We especially appreciate UNIC Tokyo’s active cooperation for celebrating this 60th anniversary by organizing events, including an SDGs-themed photo contest, as well as interviews and press conferences.

 

          Furthermore, DPI, UNIC Tokyo and the Government of Japan collaborated on a project to digitize and share over the Internet a large number of historic videos from the United Nations’ archives. This project has a great significance in highlighting the United Nations’ 70-year commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security as well as Japan’s active contribution to the United Nations. In this connection, the Government of Japan reiterates its full support for all UN Information Centres and calls on DPI, as they play a vital role, to ensure the continued success of the organization and to support its efforts on a global scale.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

          Last September, the annual ceremony to mark the International Day of Peace was celebrated in the restored Japanese Garden for the first time since 2008. In observance of the International Day of Peace on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the Japanese Mission, along with the Urasenke Chado Tradition, held the “Peace Memorial Tea Ceremony for the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations.” The support of DPI was crucial to the success of the commemorative events to mark the 2015 International Day of Peace. My delegation avails itself of this opportunity to once again thank DPI for its initiative and for its determined efforts to successfully promote and hold the Peace Bell Ceremony every September, and looks forward to this tradition continuing in the restored Japanese Garden in the future. 

 

Mr. Chair,                                           

                                                                                   

          In conclusion, Japan reiterates its commitment to supporting DPI’s activities, and looks forward to participating actively in the discussions held in this session of the Committee on Information.

 

I thank you, Mr. Chair.