Statement by Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Chargé d’ affaires
At the Debate of the United Nations Security Council
on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
22 June 2015
- Opening
- Afghanistan’s progress during the Transformation Decade
- Strengthening governance
- Advancing political reconciliation
- Foundations for sustainable economic development
- Closing
Allow me to express my gratitude to Malaysia for convening this important meeting. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. Nicholas Haysom for his comprehensive briefing. We are grateful to him and his dedicated team for the laudable work they carry out under difficult circumstances. I also thank Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan for his statement.
We strongly condemn the attack on Parliament today. We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and express our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this crime.
When tens of millions of Afghan men and women took to the polls last year, we knew that Afghanistan’s path to self-reliance would present vast opportunities and important challenges. As we approach the half-year mark of Afghanistan’s Transformation Decade, we see signs of both.
The National Unity Government is near completion and is strengthening economic and political ties with regional and international partners. On the other hand, economic growth remains weak. We are also witnessing an alarming uptick in violence, which has claimed the lives of a record number of civilians. A strong and inclusive political leadership is needed to overcome these security challenges and pave the way for economic sustainability.
In light of this situation, we are concerned that electoral reform has not yet commenced. Furthermore, it is disconcerting that the schedule of parliamentary elections, which were to take place before May 21st according to the Afghan constitution, has yet to be decided.
Cognizant that political certainty underpins security and economic growth, we call for the timely execution of electoral reforms and parliamentary elections. We likewise look to the Government led by President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, to accelerate its reform process and address immediate challenges including corruption, security and the economy.
As Afghanistan works towards peace, prosperity and self-reliance, we consider the following issues to be of continued importance: (1) strengthening governance, (2) advancing political reconciliation, and (3) cementing foundations for a sustainable economy.
Mr. President,
As Afghanistan takes its first steps toward self-reliance, we see that the resolve and capabilities of the government are being tested. To this effect, we welcome the fact that Afghanistan is making efforts to strengthen governance. Of particular relevance is the fight against corruption, which includes the judiciary and local governments. As the Afghan Government has rightly noted, corruption raises costs of development and damages credibility in the eyes of its people.
We are also alarmed by the security situation and the record high number of civilian casualties on the ground, including in the northern provinces of Kunduz and Badakhstan. We likewise note with concern the presence of foreign fighters in the country.
However, we remain confident that Afghanistan’s law enforcement and security forces are up to the task. To this end, Japan will continue to assist Afghanistan strengthen its law enforcement capacity, principally through LOTFA (Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan), to which Japan has hitherto contributed more than one billion dollars.
Our assistance has helped Afghanistan double the size of the police force in four years. Furthermore, knowing that effective law enforcement is contingent upon capable and dedicated individuals, Japan has been providing capacity building in fields as diverse as literacy education and legal training. For example, Japan, in cooperation with Turkey and NATO, is currently providing assistance for the training of 325 female police officers in Turkey, in consideration of the importance of protecting women’s rights.
Mr. President,
Political reconciliation is part and parcel to Afghanistan’s long-term stability. In this regard, we welcome the government’s engagement with national and regional actors in promoting reconciliation. Furthermore, we welcome UNAMA’s facilitation of civil-society led dialogue towards this end.
Japan, for its part, has been supporting the peaceful reintegration of ex-combatants into Afghan society. As a leading contributor to the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP) and other efforts, Japan has contributed to the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of approximately 60,000 ex-combatants, the disbandment of 737 armed groups and the collection of 276,000 weapons.
Japan looks forward to further progress and the consolidation of Afghanistan’s democratic path to peace and prosperity.
Mr. President,
Economic opportunity and growth are legitimate aspirations for all Afghans. We are therefore concerned with the economic slowdown, which amongst other factors have been attributed to political and security uncertainties.
Nonetheless, the long-term drivers of growth, particularly human capital and economic connectivity, are encouraging. Through assistance from Japan and the international community, the number of school children has increased nine-fold to 9.2 million in twelve years. Concerning economic connectivity, we have helped lay more than 700 km of new trunk roads that stretches throughout the country. Kabul International Airport, rehabilitated with Japan’s assistance, has increased passenger traffic by 150 percent in a span of five years. Furthermore, on June 2nd, Japan has approved the disbursement of counterpart fund of 25 million dollars for the Afghan Government to conclude a civil airspace management contract.
Furthermore, Japan, in cooperation with FAO amongst others, is also working to strengthen productivity in agriculture, which is the largest source of employment in the country.
In order to maximize the economic potentials that Afghanistan is endowed with, we look to the Government to implement its Reform Program “Realizing Self-Reliance,” in addressing fiscal vulnerabilities, improving security and political stability.
Mr. President,
Japan and the international community will stand by Afghanistan as it overcomes initial challenges and cements its foundations towards self-reliance. We acknowledge and welcome that a Tripartite Commission, with the participation of donor countries, has been set up to examine the role, structure and activities of all United Nations entities in Afghanistan.
Rest assured that regardless of its form, Japan’s solidarity with the Afghan people and our commitment to assist in its path towards peace, prosperity and self-reliance under the principle of mutual accountability, remains firm.
I thank you, Mr. President.
