Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
On Agenda Item 109
Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization
At the 70th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
14 October 2015
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft for assuming the position of President of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Japan looks forward to his leadership during this important session to address a wide range of global challenges.
I would also like to convey to His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Japan’s deep appreciation for his efforts in guiding the activities of the United Nations and for his latest report on the work of the Organization, No. A/70/1.
Mr. President,
U.N. High-Level Week
During High-Level Week, we celebrated the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a historic document. This year will also mark the 70th anniversary of the U.N., and we are looking forward to the related event on the 23rd of October. However, we are facing huge challenges, such as climate change, the refugee and migration crisis, and protracted conflict situations throughout the world. How to address these challenges in a collective manner is the fundamental question for multilateralism.
Mr. President,
Peace and Security
As we all know, the U.N. has three pillars: Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights. But we believe that Peace and Security has the significant importance in light of many crises in the world. United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) are the most important tool that the U.N. has for the maintenance of international peace and security. We should also recognize the challenge in front of us, which is how to make U.N. Peacekeeping Operations more sustainable in both financial and human resource aspects. This requires us to take concrete and holistic actions in order to improve this tool.
In this regard, Japan will contribute further to peacekeeping operations by broadening its involvement based on a “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” through commitments announced by Prime Minister Abe at the 2nd Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping held in September. Japan also continues to support the strategic review process outlined in both the High-Level Independent Panel’s report and Secretary-General’s report, and will proactively contribute to peacekeeping-related issues during this session through active participation in the coming discussion in C34 and Fifth Committee.
With respect to the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Japan has been active in the PBC since its establishment in 2005. This year, the Working Group on Lessons Learned held a series of meetings on the challenges associated with institution-building in the post-conflict situations. We will conclude this exercise with a report by the Chair to be issued by the end of the year. We hope that this report will benefit the intergovernmental negotiations on the 2015 Review of the U.N. Peacebuilding Architecture, scheduled to commence this fall following the Report of the Advisory Group of Exerts, by offering a useful perspective on the role to be played by the PBC in the context of institution-building.
For Peace and Security, the Security Council should have, undoubtedly, the primary responsibility among the U.N. organs, and the Security Council should reflect the realities of the international community of the 21st century to more effectively and promptly address ever-growing conflicts and crises. Allow me to draw your attention to the Meeting of Leaders of the G-4 countries- Brazil, Germany, India and Japan - on United Nations Security Council Reform held in New York on September 26th. The G4 is determined to redouble their efforts towards securing concrete outcomes during this session of the General Assembly.
Mr. President,
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Now, the Member States need to start the implementation of this holistic and ambitious agenda, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Japan is fully committed to the implementation of this agenda, both at home and abroad, in order to ensure no one is left behind. In this regard, all U.N. Member States hold the responsibility of ensuring that the U.N. is fully equipped to succeed in achieving this ambitious agenda. However, I have to say that the process of the implementation will be a long and tough one.
The positive momentum created by the successful agreements this year, namely in Sendai, Addis Ababa and at the recent Summit here in New York, propel us to succeed at COP 21 in Paris. We should not miss this opportunity to establish a fair and effective international framework applicable to all Parties.
Mr. President,
African Development
When we talk about the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in light of “no one left behind,” we must not forget the development challenges faced by the African countries. The TICAD process has been running since 1993, through close cooperation between Japan, UNOSAA, AUC, UNDP and the World Bank. Africa and Japan have shared both the concept and practice of development, rooted in the idea of ownership and partnership, for over 20 years. To continue building on this foundation, Japan will mobilize up to $32 billion between 2013 and 2017, in both public and private sectors. Japan is determined to further enhance our efforts through the TICAD process to promote transformative, resilient and inclusive growth across Africa. We look forward to the forthcoming TICAD VI Summit to be held in Nairobi in 2016, which will be the first ever to take place in Africa.
Mr. President,
Nuclear Disarmament
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although there are some developments that run counter to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the international community must continue to make steady progress in order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons.
In this connection, Japan regrets that the final document of the 2015 NPT Review Conference was not adopted. In spite of this, Japan would like to stress that the NPT regime has played an extremely important role in maintaining peace and stability in the international community, and this role remains unchanged even today. We must also not forget that there were many useful discussions on the main issues of the NPT Review Conference, and Japan thinks it important to further develop what was discussed during the Conference. In this context, Japan will submit to the upcoming 70th session of the GA a new draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear weapons, on the basis of discussions held at the last NPT Review Conference.
Mr. President,
Human Rights
The topic of human rights is one of the three pillars of the U.N., and is a matter of humanity and dignity. In the implementation of the SDGs, we believe that the focus on human rights should be more emphasized. Japan aims to create “a society in which women shine,” not only in Japan but also all over the world, and places particular emphasis on the “women, peace and security” agenda. This year, Japan finalized its Action Plan regarding the participation and protection of women, based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, and is determined to further promote this agenda in collaboration with U.N. bodies, including both U.N.-Women and the Office of the Special Representative for the Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Despite the concerns reiterated by the international community in various forums, the human rights situation in the DPRK remains unchanged. Grave human rights violations continue to be committed on a large scale. Therefore, Japan, together with the EU, will once again sponsor a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK at this U.N. General Assembly. We look forward to the continuous and active engagement of the Security Council on this issue.
Mr. President,
Budget
Regarding Administrative and Budgetary issues, this main session of the Fifth Committee will address both the scale of assessments and the 2016-2017 budget proposal. In order to ensure budgetary discipline and the U.N.’s ability to deliver its mandate, Japan will carefully analyze and judge the appropriateness and affordability of the proposed programme budget 2016-17, and requests that the Secretariat take a fresh look at the needs of the Organization. Japan expresses its appreciation for the Secretary-General’s continued and strong commitment to a better management of the Secretariat and the U.N. facilities.
Mr. President,
I would like to conclude my statement today by assuring you that Japan will continue to work closely with the Secretary-General to ensure a more effective, efficient United Nations. To this end, I would also like to add that Japan is determined and ready to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council starting next January, if elected by the Member States tomorrow.
I thank you, Mr. President.
