Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Debate of the United Nations Security Council
On the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
19 December 2016
Mr. President,
Please allow me to thank today’s briefers for their comprehensive updates on the situation in Afghanistan. I would also like to thank you, Mr. President, for Spain’s contribution as penholder in our discussions on Afghanistan over the past two years. Japan will try to make a meaningful contribution as penholder starting in January by seeking a broad range of opinions from our Council colleagues, Afghanistan, countries in the area, donors, and civil society.
Mr. President,
We witnessed two crucial international conferences on Afghanistan this year. At the NATO Summit in July, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to stand with the Afghan people on security matters by providing financial support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) through the end of 2020 and sustaining the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016. And at the Brussels Conference in October, the international community pledged to continue assistance to Afghanistan for the next four years based on the principle of mutual accountability. We sincerely hope that Afghanistan will soon achieve self-reliance to the point where donors no longer need to announce multi-year pledges. We urge the National Unity Government to make further efforts to implement its commitments regarding the Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF).
I would like to note, however, that the role of the Security Council is not to oversee progress on the SMAF. What we can do is to monitor Afghanistan’s continued reform efforts and its initiatives to combat the spread of extremism, and evaluate whether they are contributing to international and regional peace and security. The Council should remain united in supporting Afghanistan as it endeavors to overcome its many challenges.
Sadly, the Secretary-General’s most recent report on Afghanistan reveals harsh realities. Few improvements have been seen in terms of political developments and security. One positive note has been frequent meetings between President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah, as well as the lessening of public demands to replace the National Unity Government. We have listened carefully to the briefing by the SRSG Yamamoto in order to determine what the Council can do to further support Afghanistan and bring peace and stability to the region.
Mr. President,
Today’s briefing from UNODC reminds us that comprehensive solutions are required for Afghanistan. Japan has been cooperating with UNODC on counter narcotics, and we are encouraged by its integrated program approach in addressing narcotics from a variety of angles. Afghanistan is at its core an agricultural nation. We are providing support to allow Afghans to fight poverty not with poppies, but with the revival of their legitimate agricultural sector. We envision regional cooperation in which Afghanistan’s expanded agricultural productivity allows it to export products to neighboring countries and to become a hub between Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. This approach is in the spirit of the recent Heart of Asia conference.
Mr. President,
Afghanistan possesses the potential for self-reliance, making its dire security situation all the more unfortunate. This unstable environment impedes opportunities for development, while we see dangerous signs of growing extremism. Japan provides 130 million dollars in security assistance each year, but the ANDSF’s increased capacity depends not only on international support but on strengthened governance by the National Unity Government, built on a foundation of economic development. Most of all, we firmly believe that an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process is the determining factor in achieving a sustainable resolution of the conflict.
Mr. President,
The many countries that gathered for the Brussels Conference are eager to witness concrete progress in development. Similarly, the Council is eager to witness concrete progress in security. Both the international community and National Unity Government must translate their commitments into action in order to achieve these concrete results. If security is strengthened, it will provide a vital foundation for regional cooperation and economic development. Japan will deepen dialogue with various stakeholders and seek progress in the Council going forward.
I thank you, Mr. President.
