(As delivered)

 

Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Strengthening of the United Nations System (Item 122)
7 September 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you for convening this important meeting.
          It is regrettable that we continue to hear allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse. We must cooperate in addressing these heinous acts which have significantly damaged the credibility of the United Nations.

 

          Resolution 2272of the Security Council reaffirms the zero tolerance policy taken by the Secretary-General and sets out concrete measures to be taken in order to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. I would like to reiterate Japan’s full support for this resolution and its implementation.

          In the implementation of resolution 2272, it is essential to coordinate efforts by all member states, including TCCs/PCCs. Without the understanding and cooperation of TCCs/PCCs, our measures will fall short. In this regard, I commend the efforts by the President of General Assembly, who convened several briefings on sexual exploitation and abuse this year which deepened understanding among member states.

 

          One area Japan has supported is the U.N. e-learning programme on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Training materials have been recently established for this purpose. I would like to emphasize that this programme can be effective only when trainees, including personnel provided by TCCs/PCCs, understand its objective and are proactively involved. As laid out in resolution 2272, robust pre-deployment training is essential, and it is vitally important for us to expand understanding among TCCs/PCCs. For this reason, Japan and the U.N. Department of Field Support will jointly hold an event to introduce the training materials next week on 13 September. This will be the first opportunity where the material will be showcased before member states. Japan strongly backs this effort as part of the effective implementation of resolution 2272. I look forward to seeing you and as many colleagues as possible there.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Japan places central importance on the provision of assistance to victims, an area covered by resolution 2272. All member states should consider what they can do to help　victims. Just one year ago, Prime Minister Abe of Japan expressed Japan’s commitment to providing support for a remedial action program for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse at the 2nd PKO Summit, here in New York. Japan is about to announce its concrete contribution at the U.N Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial in London, and encourages other member states to join us.

          Japan has also taken additional measures to support the implementation of the resolution. For instance, we designated a National Investigation Officer in our troop deployed to South Sudan in response to a request by the Secretariat.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Peacekeepers are the last hope for people suffering on the ground. It is unacceptable for peacekeepers to betray people’s trust through sexual exploitation and abuse. It is equally unacceptable for these acts by certain peacekeepers to tarnish the honor of the vast majority of peacekeepers, who are serving earnestly and under difficult circumstances.

          I strongly believe that we must all work together in tackling sexual exploitation and abuse through concrete measures like those I have just described today, for the sake of both the victims and the U.N.

 

I thank you very much, Mr. President.