On 18 June, the Japanese Government announced its decision to decorate Ms. Norma Chan, former Director of the Security Council Affairs Division of the United Nations, with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to strengthening relations between Japan and the United Nations Security Council Affairs Division of the United Nations.

In her more than thirty years of service in Security Council Affairs, Ms. Chan made an invaluable contribution to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the Security Council, a critical organ of the United Nations.  In particular, she rendered significant assistance to non-permanent members of the Security Council including Japan, by providing valuable advice in order for those countries to effectively discharge their responsibilities in the Council.

As Director of the Security Council Affairs Division in recent years, Ms. Chan supported Japan’s active contribution to the Security Council during its 2005-2006 and 2009-2010 terms, when the Council faced many serious challenges including the situation in the Korean Peninsula.  While maintaining her integrity and impartiality as an international civil servant, Ms. Chan has made a substantive contribution to Japan’s efforts to implement its foreign policy centered on United Nations priorities.