Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

 

At the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council
On the “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Settlement of Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Countering Terrorist Threat in the Region”

 

30 September 2015

 

 1. Opening

Mr. President,

        Allow me to express my gratitude to you for convening this meeting and to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his insightful briefing.  You have chosen a topic that many leaders of the world, including my own, have been addressing at the current General Assembly Debate.

 

Mr. President,

        We continue to witness a series of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with repercussions that extend far beyond the region.  The rise of terrorism and the mass exodus of refugees is a clear sign of the gravity of the situation.  The effective responses against it may not be easy to ascertain.

        However, one thing is certain.  We must not only confront the challenges at hand, but also address the underlying factors that fuel them.

 

 

 2. Japan’s response to the immediate challenges

Mr. President,

        Japan has been swift and steadfast in its response to the current refugee crisis.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan will carry out approximately $810 million dollars in assistance this year to refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Syria and Iraq.  This is a three-fold increase from 2014.  In addition, approximately 2.5 million dollars in assistance will be extended to European countries such as the Republic of Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that are receiving refugees.

        Concerning counter-terrorism, Japan reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to tackle

terrorism through a multifaceted approach at yesterday’s Leaders’ Summit on ISIL and Countering Violent Extremism.

 

 

 3. Addressing the underlying sources of instability

Mr. President,

        News of refugees and terrorism is coming from communities where economic prospects are truncated, civilians are indiscriminately attacked and families uprooted.  In response, Japan seeks to empower individuals and build economically sustainable communities.

 

This is in line with the concept of “human security” which we have been advocating for decades.

        Therefore, the $2.5 billion dollars in assistance that Japan is extending to the MENA region targets not only governments but also the most vulnerable in society, such as women and children.  Women and children however, can also work against the spread of extremist ideologies and serve as effective drivers of peace.   

        Malala’s story best epitomizes this.  Ms. Malala Yousafzai, who feared no bullet in defense of her right to education, is now an inspiration for millions.  We all remember at the opening day of the Sustainable Development Summit, she emphasized that education is hope, that education is peace.

 

Let us heed her courageous call.

        In Syria, where access to education has been severely hindered, Japan has helped reach more than 2.6 million children with textbooks and educational awareness programs under the “Back to Learning” program, in partnership with UNICEF and others.

        In Palestine and neighboring countries, Japan has long been one of the principal contributors to UNRWA, which provides education to approximately 480,000 Palestinian refugee children. 

 

Mr. President,

       Mothers, wives and daughters, with influential voices within the family, can serve as bulwarks against the spread of extremist ideologies.  However, atrocious acts committed by groups like ISIL and Boko Haram attest to how women are frequently abused in conflicts.

       In April, my Mission co-hosted a seminar at the International Peace Institute (IPI) to call attention to this grave issue and urged the international community to develop strong counter-measures.  Japan for its part will continue to support the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura as its largest contributor. Moreover, we have increased our contribution to UN Women by ten-fold over the past two years and supported the economic empowerment of refugees and IDPs through vocational training and other programs.  

 

 

 4. Closing

Mr. President,

        Japan firmly believes that empowering individuals and strengthening communities, in line with the concept of human security, will facilitate political solutions, which are ultimately needed in the region. 

        Japan thus supports the good offices of the United Nations in the MENA region, including in Syria, Yemen and Libya.  We also look to the Security Council to play an increasingly constructive role in achieving political solutions.  Japan for its part, will continue to tackle the imminent challenges at hand and cement the foundations for sustainable peace and prosperity in the region.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.

 

END