Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Open Debate
On Peace Operations Facing Asymmetric Threats
7 November 2016
Mr. President,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you for convening an Open Debate on the timely topic of peace operations facing asymmetric threats. I would also like to thank the briefers for their insightful briefings.
Mr. President,
UN peacekeeping operations are a key pillar for the maintenance of international peace and security. Japan is contributing as one of the TCC alongside many member states. Expectations for UN peacekeeping are high, and its roles and responsibilities have expanded and diversified over the years. In this context, asymmetric threats have become one of its major challenges.
Asymmetric threats in the form of physical attacks against peacekeepers make the implementation of peacekeeping mandates far more difficult for a number of peacekeeping missions.
One such mission is MINUSMA, where troops have been a target of attacks by terrorist groups. Japan co-sponsored Resolution 2295, which requested MINUSMA to move to a more proactive and robust posture in carrying out its mandate. Further, the Resolution prioritized the protection of civilians and stabilization of areas where civilians are at risk, including against asymmetric threats. This includes improved intelligence capacities; training and equipment to counter explosive devices; secured logistical supply routes; and improved medical evacuation procedures. The Resolution also clarifies its mandate to ensure the security of personnel. Japan strongly hopes that these measures will bring tangible results in improving the Mission’s security and its capacity to implement its mandate on the ground.
Japan concurs with the view expressed in the Secretary-General’s report that UN peace operations are not an appropriate tool for military counter-terrorism operations. The question, then, is how we can best enable missions to implement their mandates in complex environments, where there exist asymmetric threats.
Certainly, the Security Council should give a sufficiently robust mandate to peacekeeping missions enabling them to ensure the security of their personnel. Beyond this, how robust a mandate the mission should be given for the protection of civilians against asymmetric threats will have to be studied on a case-by-case basis. It should take into account the capacity of national security forces and the presence and capacity of any other international force complementing the national security forces in parallel to the UN mandated mission.
Mr. President,
Against asymmetric threats, enhancing the capacity of peacekeepers becomes more important than ever. Insufficient capacity not only undermines the ability to implement their mandates, but can also expose them to great risk.
Communications is an area where capacity could be improved. We are currently supporting the UN Signals Academy in Uganda in order to provide peacekeepers with communications training that will enable them to better gather and share essential information necessary for their own security and the effective implementation of their mandates.
Even more important is capacity building of the countries suffering from internal conflicts. As Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida pointed out at the July Open Debate, the training of domestic police forces is necessary to eradicate violence and terror.
In complex environments with asymmetric threats, peace is not achieved solely through PKOs or their military components. With this understanding, Japan has provided training for more than 20,000 police officers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past 12 years in collaboration with the police forces of MONUSCO. Japan, together with the international community, will continue to support institution building in such sectors as security, the judiciary and border control.
Furthermore, improved exchange of information among the relevant institutions, including counter-terrorism institutions, could lead to reduced risks for peacekeepers. We believe such efforts, when combined, could contribute significantly to the containment of asymmetric attacks.
Mr. President,
The efforts I have described fit into Japan’s policy of seeking to contribute more proactively to international peace, in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Japan will continue to be a strong partner of UN peacekeeping operations through our personnel on the ground and our support for capacity building.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all field personnel serving in UN peace operations and offer my deepest condolences for those who have made the ultimate sacrifices in their lines of duty.
I thank you, Mr. President.
