和文骨子はこちら
(Check Against Delivery)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Open Debate of the Security Council on
“Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Security, Development and
the Root Causes of Conflict”
17 November 2015
Madam President,
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your leadership in convening today’s open debate. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General and all the other briefers for their insightful presentations.
Japan appreciates that the Council is focusing its attention on the root causes of conflict. By using its political leverage for prevention of conflict and peacebuilding in a timely manner, the Council can help avoid such situations where large-scale action would be required. In the long run, this can reduce costs to be borne by the international community and enhance the efficiency of the United Nations. Various reviews undertaken this year also point out the importance of conflict prevention.
As an active member of the Peacebuilding Commission and a newly elected member of the Council, Japan believes that enhanced coordination between the Security Council and the PBC in an effective and realistic manner is particularly important for conflict prevention. In this regard, we welcome your initiative in inviting the Chair of the PBC to this session.
Madam President,
Today, our eyes are fully open to the fact that issues of peace and security and sustainable development are closely linked to each other. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims at approaching the security-development spectrum in an integrated way. Goal 16 is epoch-making. All the Member States recognize the need for breaking down silos. In implementing this Goal, every principal organ of the UN has its role to play.
In this respect, let me underscore three points:
First is the importance of the role to be played by this Council, the principal organ with primary responsibility for the international peace and security, cannot be stressed enough. Is it not the case that the Council tends to fail to pay enough attention to the nexus that do or should exist with other intergovernmental organizations when it discusses issues in NY, especially given its strong mandate over the maintenance of international peace and security? In light of the more-clear-than-ever linkages between sustainable development and peace and security, the Council should ensure coherence with other bodies such as the General Assembly, ECOSOC, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Executive Boards of Funds and Programs, the Human Rights Council, in addition to, of course, the PBC, in order to break down silos and ensure holistic discussions on relevant issues in these fora. Particularly when it comes to laying the ground for peace or taking measures from long-term perspectives, the Security Council should make full use of the comparative strengths of the relevant institutions. This helps the Council lessen its already heavy workload. We believe the Council should take the lead in reaching out to these bodies.
Second point I would like to stress is the importance of giving more priority to conflict prevention on the ground. In this connection, the UN country team plays a crucial role. Based on updates provided by the country team, the Secretariat should proactively brief the Security Council. This allows the Council to be engaged at the outset in situations where increased tension is observed, by sending out messages or dispatching mini-missions to the regions, if necessary. As I mentioned at the beginning, the Council’s swift and earlier engagement would be a most useful tool to prevent tensions from escalating into conflicts.
Lastly, I would like to stress the importance of institution-building in preventing conflict. It is for this very reason that the PBC Working Group on Lessons Learned, which Japan chairs, has focused on the annual theme of “institution-building”, and deepened discussion on challenges and lessons learned associated with institution-building. Through such exercise, the PBC is able to complement the Council’s role, by giving more careful attention to some areas which are not necessarily the Council’s first priorities. Japan intends to compile a report on the activities undertaken by the PBC Working Group on Lessons Learned by the end of this year. We hope to make further inputs and contributions to today’s theme with this report.
Madam President,
Before closing, allow me to briefly touch upon Japan’s engagement.
Japan places human security as the center of its policy. This is a concept that emphasizes placing people at the heart of development policy, and protecting them from various threats including conflict through empowerment. In implementing this policy, Japan has been providing necessary support through its ODA programs, such as the Grant Aid scheme for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, in a seamless manner. Indeed, the concept of human security calls for this seamless and coherent way of supporting efforts in sustaining peace and development, all the way from the phases of conflict prevention and resolution efforts, to those of consolidation of peace, prevention of relapse, reconstruction and toward sustainable development.
Somalia is one such example. Based on the shared recognition that the utmost priority for Somalia is enhancing national capacities, Japan has provided its assistance with three pillars: 1) reinstating delivery of basic social services, 2) enhancing capacities in public security, and 3) revitalizing the domestic economy. Since 2007, Japan has contributed about US$371 million to these pillars. As such, we aim to achieve both sustainable peace and development through ownership of the country concerned and building capable and accountable institutions.
Finally, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s determination to take an active role in conflict prevention, peace building, humanitarian assistance and development cooperation through using a holistic approach. Under the banner of being “a Proactive Contributor to Peace”, Japan will continue to work together with the international community to that end.
I thank you, Madam President.
