STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. KAZUO KODAMA
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN
AT THE MEETING OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE OF THE
65th SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ON ITEM 53: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION
OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS
27 October 2010
Mr. Chairman,
I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Alain Le Roy, and the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Ms. Susana Malcorra, for their briefings on the current challenges for UN peacekeeping operations and reform initiatives by the Secretariat.
(Current situation surrounding UN PKOs)
Mr. Chairman,
United Nations peacekeeping operations have become increasingly more complex and difficult undertakings. It is unprecedented in terms of the number of personnel on the ground, the diversity of mandated tasks and the complexity of the situation of each mission. At the same time, international expectations are high for this UN endeavor as an important and effective tool to contribute to global peace and stability. Japan would like to take this opportunity to pay sincere tribute to all the men and women who have participated in UN peacekeeping operations.
It should be noted that we, the international community and members of the United Nations, are faced with challenges as well. The most critical one that requires urgent attention is the issue of capacity gaps between Security Council mandates and their implementation.
(Various endeavors to fill in gaps)
Mr. Chairman,
We acknowledge that considerable work has been done within the United Nations and the international community at large in order to address this issue. The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the C-34, had a constructive discussion that covered almost all current issues of UN PKOs during its last session in March this year, which resulted in a comprehensive report by the Committee. Japan welcomes that a steady progress is made on the ‘‘New Horizon’’ initiative launched last year by the Secretariat, DPKO and DFS, as stated in the first progress report issued this month. Japan encourages the Secretariat to stay on track and continue to move forward in its further endeavors to strengthen and bolster the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. We also look forward to completion of civilian capacities review being undertaken by the Peacebuilding Support Office, which should take the issue forward.
(Security Council WG on Peacekeeping Operations)
Mr. Chairman,
As Chair of the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping, Japan has contributed to envigorating discussions, particularly with a view to enhancing cooperation with major troop-contributing countries and police-contributing countries, along with other stakeholders such as major financial contributors, the C-34 bureau and regional organizations. The Working Group has held fourteen meetings since Japan assumed the chairmanship and submitted three interim reports. In the course of the discussions, we have focused on the issue of key gaps that needs to be closed in order to effectively implement Security Council mandates.
There have been some concrete outcomes that have already been realized such as the holding of TCC/PCC meetings in advance of Security Council consultations on a PKO mandate. We are concluding the two-year activities under our Chairmanship at the end of the year, and we remain committed to contributing to finding solutions to the current challenges of UN PKOs.
(Peacekeeping and peacebuilding nexus)
Mr. Chairman,
We now widely share the view that peacekeeping and peacebuilding are inter-connected activities that should be conducted in parallel. Peacekeepers are early peacebuilders. Japan appreciates the report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict, and looks forward to the further progress on all priority agenda set forth, in particular, the national capacity development.
While we do not undermine the value of conceptual discussion on this important issue, what really need urgently is to make difference on the ground. We have seen success stories in the cases of Liberia, which was recently placed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission, and of UNMIT in Timor-Leste, which is expected to complete its mission by 2012. The international community has to see to it that these will succeed in acquiring sustainable peace. Japan stands ready to support that.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to conclude by pointing out the importance of maintaining a broader perspective while discussing individual issues pertaining to UN peacekeeping. We should always take into account a strategic context with a view to enhancing political processes and peacebuilding.
Thank you. |
