Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting
On Climate Change and Security
10 April 2017
Thank you, Mr. President,
Climate change induces interlocking problems, such as resource competition, migration, extreme weather events and disasters, food insecurity and water shortages. The influence of these phenomena will be unevenly distributed around the world. As many countries including Japan mentioned during the High-Level Meeting on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Agenda last month here in New York, climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ and closely linked with security risks.
Today we touch upon the Sea-level Rise as a consequence of climate change, and how it casts security problems. It is obvious that for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the rise of sea levels caused by climate change is a threat to the very existence of many nations. Sea-level rise poses a serious threat not only to SIDS but also to many coastal nations by causing damage to key economic and social infrastructure such as seaports, airports and industrial facilities facing ocean. This should be regarded as an issue of national, regional and global security. It is also important to address other climate-related risks such as food insecurity and conflicts induced by water scarcity.
In this regard, Japan is of the strong view that our efforts to combat against Climate Change should be made in an integral way. Firstly, Mitigation; we must emphasize the importance of the implementation of the nationally determined contributions set by each country, under the strong leadership of large greenhouse gas emitting countries in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Secondly, Adaptation; climate change is the thirteenth goal of the SDGs, but at the same time, the handling of this issue will affect the outcome of all seventeen of the SDG goals. Taking the vulnerable situation of SIDS into consideration, we have to strive utmost effort for the adaptation. Thirdly, Raising awareness from the Security point of views; as many regional conflicts or state fragility that cause security problems are driven or multiplied by the climate change.
Mr. President,
Now allow me to elaborate our efforts to tackle the climate-related risks. Japan hosted the Roundtable Seminar on Climate Change and Fragility on International Security in Tokyo this January. In the deliberations, many of the participants stressed the clear linkage between climate change and security risks, and emphasized the urgent need to tackle the serious challenges posed by climate change. Japan currently serves as the chair of the G7 Working Group on Climate and Fragility and is determined to continue to play a central role in raising awareness on the nexus of climate change and security in order for the international community to engage on this issue at appropriate venues, especially including within the U.N. System. In this regard, Japan co-sponsored the recently adopted Security Council resolution 2349, which recognizes the adverse effects of climate on the stability of the Lake Chad Basin Region and emphasizes the need for adequate risk assessments and risk management strategies.
Let me also briefly touch on Japan’s continued support to Pacific island countries on this matter. In January of this year, Japan hosted the Third Ministerial Interim Meeting of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo. Japan and Pacific island countries reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the fields of climate change and disaster risk reduction with a view toward successful PALM8 meeting, which is scheduled for May 2018.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, the United Nations must undoubtedly play a pivotal role in furthering international cooperation for robust action against climate-related risks. Japan will certainly be an active partner in this endeavor.
I thank you very much.
