(As delivered)

 

  

 

Statement by Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

 

At the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council

On Women, Peace, and Security

 

13 October 2015

 

 

 

1. Opening (Japan’s footprints)

Mr. President,

 

        I would like to express my gratitude to you for convening this meeting and to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his statement.

I also appreciate the briefings from Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN-Women, and the NGO representatives.

 

Mr. President,

 

       This year marks the 15th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, the first and historic resolution which recognized the role of gender equality and women’s leadership in international peace and security.

 

       Japan has consistently supported conflict resolution and peacebuilding as a peace-loving nation with the perspectives of gender equality in its basic principles of ODA.

Two years ago, Prime Minister of Japan, Mr, Shinzo Abe, showed its firm determination to realize “a society in which women shine”, and announced the contributions to developing countries of more than three billion USD over three years.

       Women, Peace and Security agenda is one of the pillars in realizing this commitment.

       Japan has been steadily implementing, and will achieve it before the end of this year.

 

Mr. President,

 

       Japan finalized it’s National Action Plan on 1325 last month.

       It ambitiously aims to achieve 150 goals to be regularly monitored.

       One of the unique features is its inclusion and emphasis of gender mainstreaming during all phases of natural disaster risk-reduction and response.

       Today, Japan has honour to promise in front of you, to fulfill these commitments.

 

 

 

2. Challenges of Women, Peace and Security

Mr. President,

 

       The world has changed since the adoption of the resolution 1325. The nature of conflicts has changed accordingly.

 

       Today, I would like to point out three challenges surrounding the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and demonstrate Japan’s commitment to addressing these issues.

 

(1) Addressing Violent Extremism

       First, violent extremism has emerged as a new challenge. Women are its primary victims.

       At the same time, they can become assailants by leaning to extremism.

       Addressing the root cause of violent extremis is critical.

       But how ?

 

       As the Secretary-General’s report and the Global Study point out, the economic empowerment of and participation by women is key to resolving conflicts effectively, sustain peace, and prevent violent extremism from happening in the first place.

 

       Let me show an example.

       In cooperation with UN-Women, Japan has supported the refugees and IDPs in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon through vocational training and cash-for-work programs. 

       We believe that women’s engagement in peace and security, its empowerment and protection, will serve as bulwarks against the spread of extremist ideologies.

 

       From this standpoint, Japan continues to respond to the current refugee crisis, and will carry out approximately 810 million dollars in assistance this year to refugees and IDPs from Syria and Iraq.

 

 

(2) Securing Project Implementation

Mr. President,

 

       Securing project implementation is our second outstanding challenge.

       In order to sustain project implementation, it is essential to broaden the donor base, including NGOs, the private sector and individuals.

 

       From this aspect, Japan upholds the objective of the Global Acceleration Instrument (GAI) by UN-Women.

 

 

(3) Capacity Enhancement

       Thirdly, we must not tolerate impunity for security-related personnel perpetrating violence against women.

       It is urgent to involve national military forces, the police and judiciary sectors with the Women, Peace and Security agenda in countries under conflicts situation.

       Capacity enhancement for those sectors is key. The international community should mobilize every possible means for supporting this objective.

 

       Japan will increase its assistance to the office of Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative for the Secretary-General in charge of sexual violence in conflict, which is making tremendous efforts in this regard.

 

 

 

3. Closing

Mr. President,

 

       Japan welcomes the increasing momentum of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and the adoption of the new Security Council Resolution, which is an historic step forward in this field.

       We welcome the completion of the Global Study as well.

       Continued effort is needed, however, to all actors of the international community to implement its recommendations.

 

       Japan is one of the co-chair countries of the Group of Friends of the Global Study. Japan will take over the role of chair of the G7 next year.

       Under these roles, Japan will vigorously push forward the Women, Peace and Security agenda over the next year and beyond.

       Now is the time for us all to move forward.

 

       I thank you, Mr. President.