Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the High Level Dialogue on
“Building Sustainable Peace for all: Synergies between the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustaining Peace”
24 January 2017

 

 

Thank you Mr. Chair,

 

          I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation for the initiative of the President of General Assembly to convene this High Level Dialogue in order to deepen the deliberation on the synergy between Sustaining Peace and Sustainable Development.

 

          The UN was established 72 years ago in order to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. For that purpose, its founding fathers established the Economic and Social Council together with the Security Council. It was understood then as we understand now that development is indispensable for peace. And peace drives development forward. From the very beginning of the UN, we are aware that to generate the synergy between peace and development will make both of them sustainable.

 

          We should look to the impressive example of Asia. Asian countries suffered from various wars and conflicts in the past, especially in 1960’s and 1970’s. But now enjoy the peace and stable democracy. This has been realized mainly by development and economic prosperity. One of the reasons of the remarkable development of Asia in recent decades is that Asian countries tried their best to build strong institutions, such as political, administrative, security, judicial and business institutions. These institutions created the trust of the people on social order. People could participate in civic life and economic activity without any fear or without any concern about their future. Such institutions shore up peace and development.

 

          Japan has been implementing development assistance over many years not only in Asia but in Africa and elsewhere. We attach particular importance to institution building for the resilience of the society as well as the inclusiveness of the economy.

 

          What kind of efforts then is needed in order to undertake institution building in the UN? The UN has been tackling the issue of peacebuilding in recent years. The Peacebuilding Commission was established after the Millennium Summit in 2005. The Peacebuilding Commission exists to facilitate peace building and conflict prevention. The major reason why peace and prosperity in fragile countries are not sustainable is that they lack sound institutions. It is important therefore to address institution-building challenges through the PBC. At the PBC, Japan puts forward institution building as a focal point of its activities. It is a tool for listening to the voices of countries seeking sustained peace and for enabling cooperation amongst the Member States and the UN system to support those voices. Japan will show leadership in this respect tomorrow in the Organizational Committee of the PBC.

 

          Lastly, we hope that this event will deepen the discussion for the realization of sustaining peace and sustainable development.

I thank you.