(Check against delivery)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura
Chargé d’affaires, a.i.
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
On Agenda Item 121:
Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of
The Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council
30 October 2015
Mr. President,
I would like to associate myself fully with the statement delivered earlier by H. E. Ambassador Harald Braun of Germany on behalf of the G4 countries.
Allow me to start by drawing your attention to General Assembly Decision 69/560, which Member States successfully adopted by consensus last month. This was not just another technical “business-as-usual” decision. It was the decision to formally recognize the text and its annex circulated by your predecessor on July 31st of this year, as the basis for Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN).
Mr. President,
The text is a product of everyone. In March Member States were briefed on the way forward to the text. It was made very clear that each and every Member State was welcomed to populate the Framework Document with proposals and positions. Submissions to the Framework Document were kindly accepted even after the deadline. Each and every Member State that populated the Framewor Document was consulted intensively before circulation of the text. In other words, the train for reform was always there for us. Everyone who wished to get on board was able to do so whenever they wished. We now have more than 120 passengers. Every passenger is equally treated and well seated. Seats still remain for more passengers who have not yet gotten on the train. I can’t think of a more membership-driven method for Intergovernmental Negotiations than this. Japan would like to warmly welcome H.E. Ms. Sylvie Lucas as the new driver of this train.
Mr. President,
Although the text may not be as concise and operational as my delegation initially called for, I accept it because it is a product of everyone. I believe this is why Member States adopted by consensus Decision 69/560 to roll-over the text to this session of the General Assembly as the basis for text-based negotiations. Japan supports the new Chair in moving forward the process towards actually launching text-based negotiations. I am sure many other Member States will join in this endeavor.
The text is an important starting point for text-based negotiations and yet it is only a beginning. But I believe all Member States agree that we need to reform the Security Council in order to enhance its effectiveness and that we need to expand its membership to reflect the realities of the international community in the 21st century. The only thing we cannot agree on at this moment is the configuration of a reformed Council and the treatment of the veto. Reform requires negotiations. Negotiations require a text. I believe Member States can negotiate to bridge these only remaining substantial gaps based on the text.
Mr. President,
Geopolitical realities have changed over the last 70 years. There are more Member States in today’s world that have both the capacity and willingness to take on the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. If we only increase non-permanent members, it will not bring an appropriate balance to reflect geopolitical realities in the Council. The expansion of permanent membership will surely strengthen the Security Council’s function and this is in line with the spirit of Article 23 of the UN Charter.
Now, I understand some Member States argue that we should greatly enhance representation of developing countries but only support the expansion of non-permanent seats or the creation of a new category of membership. I would like to ask those Member States for their views. What is their answer to the aspiration of our African friends without having them as permanent members, considering what our African friends call the “historical injustice done to Africa”? Do they think that the legitimate aspiration expressed by our African friends can be met by their argument?
We need to address the most controversial question—the veto. Initiatives put forward most notably by France and the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Group on restraining its use in situations of mass atrocities have received growing support. Japan supports both these initiatives.
Mr. President,
It is important to capitalize on this momentum generated by the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. The G4 leaders, who gathered here in New York on September 26, agreed on and pledged to outreach to Member States to achieve an early and meaningful reform of the Security Council. The G4 is determined to redouble its efforts towards securing concrete outcomes during this session of the General Assembly.
Mr. President,
My delegation very much expects your leadership on this important agenda item and will support you as we make progress during this critical year.
I thank you, Mr. President.
