(as delivered)

  

Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Security Council Briefing on

“Implementation of the Note S/2010/507”

26 February 2016

 

Señor Presidente, Embajador Rafael Ramírez,

 

En primer lugar, quiero agradecer y felicitar al Sr. Presidente y a la Misión de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela por su labor como Presidente del Consejo.

 

También, quiero agradecerle por su informe completo de las actividades del Consejo durante el mes de febrero.

 

Among many difficult issues that the Council has dealt with in February, I would like to concentrate on three of them:

 

They are two important crises that Council is going to make important decisions today and hopefully tomorrow.

 

One is the nuclear test and the ballistic missile launch by the DPRK, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

 

Another is, Syria.

 

Third issue is the working methods of the Council.

 

First, on the DPRK.

 

On February 6th, the DPRK launched a ballistic missile.

 

After the nuclear test in January, this launch is yet another clear and flagrant violation by the DPRK of relevant Security Council resolutions.

 

These are not just violations of Council resolutions, but also a totally unacceptable challenge to the UN Charter.

 

The combination of nuclear and ballistic missile development pursued by the DPRK is a real threat to the national security of Japan.

 

It also seriously undermines peace and stability of the region and beyond.

 

Yesterday, a draft resolution was introduced by the US.

 

This draft resolution is very comprehensive and robust.

 

I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Ambassador Power and her team for taking the lead.

 

My appreciation also goes to China for their efforts.

 

It is now crucial for all of us in this Council to be united to adopt the resolution, as quickly as possible, tomorrow, to be more precise, in order to send a strong message to the DPRK.

 

Adoption of a new resolution is not an end, but a beginning.

 

Resolutions are effective only when fully implemented.

 

Implementation is thus crucial to changing the policy of the DPRK on their nuclear development and bringing them back to dialogue.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance for all of us to fully implement the obligations contained in the relevant resolutions, including the one which we will adopt very soon.

 

Mr. President,

 

Second is Syria. With profound regret, I have to point out that five years have passed since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria.

 

According to OCHA, more than a quarter of a million Syrians were killed and 4.6 million Syrians fled their country during this period.

 

It is clear that there is no way to end the dire situation of Syrians without a comprehensive political solution.

 

Once again, let me underscore the importance of full implementation of Resolution 2254, unanimously adopted on 18th December 2015.

 

The Council is expected to adopt a new resolution today which endorses the recent US-Russian Joint Statement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria.

 

The implementation of this new resolution will be another responsibility for all of us.

 

Mr. President,

 

Thirdly, let me mention the working methods.

 

In my capacity as Chair of the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation, I have the pleasure to announce the convening of its first meeting on 7th March.

 

I am delighted to inherit the significant achievements already made in this field, including the work of Angola as former Chair of the Working Group, Presidential Statement (PRST/2015/19) issued under the Spanish presidency last October, and the most recent presidential note S/2016/170 issued under your presidency this month.

 

Japan also took the lead in compiling presidential note S/2010/507 when we last served on the Council.

 

I would like to make a concrete contribution in this area during my chairmanship, building upon the significant achievements to which I just referred.

 

To this end, I wish to seek the strong cooperation and support of Security Council members.

 

It is also my intention to continue listening closely to the voices of the broader membership of the United Nations.

 

In this context, I was very encouraged by the recent discussions held at the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform.

 

Many delegations expressed their strong expectations that the Informal Working Group of the Security Council make further progress on transparency and closer cooperation with the General Assembly.

 

I was very encouraged to hear from Ambassador Matthew Rycroft of the UK, who said that the Security Council has a lot to benefit from listening to the voices coming from the General Assembly.

 

He did not say the often quoted phrase that the Security Council is the master of its rules of procedure.

 

Mr. President,

 

Before concluding my statement, although I don’t see him now, let me express our profound gratitude to Mr. Movses Abelian for his invaluable contribution as the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division, and congratulate him for his promotion.

 

I hope you will convey to him my appreciation.

 

My only regret is that Movses will be gone when I have the honor of presiding over the Council during the month of July.

 

Finally, I would like to reiterate my appreciation to you, Mr. President, and the entire Venezuelan team for your tireless work.

 

I wish Ambassador Ismail Gaspar Martins and the Mission of Angola every success in March.

 

Le agradezco, Señor Presidente.