(as delivered)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Second Thematic Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the
Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly
3 March 2016
Thank you, Mr. Co-Chairs,
Regarding today's topic, “the working methods of the General Assembly,” Japan believes that this is an area where concrete results should be achieved. Each year our achievement may not be sufficient, but we have to continue to consider and implement how to improve our working methods, so that the GA can function in an effective and efficient manner.
First, on the issue of rationalization of the GA's work is an urgent challenge. Biennialization or triennialization of the agendas which are currently being discussed should be considered, as we advocated last year. We adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last September, which covers a wide range of issues. We are looking forward to the work on the revitalization of 2nd Committee and to the work initiated by PGA. We understand that the PGA has designated the five members for this purpose, and we sincerely hope that this process will produce concrete results in a transparent and inclusive manner.
Second, I would like to stress that the disciplined proceeding of the committee and timely documentation by the Secretariat are important.
Also, we would like to stress the importance of strict adherence to time constraints for each speaker in meetings. We understand that it is the prerogative of presidents and chairs to set time constraints for the statements of member states. I support the chair of 3rd Committee to have set time constraints. On the side of member states, they should exercise self-restraint on the length of statements. For instance, we can distribute a full version of the text while delivering a shortened version of the statement.
In this regard, it is highly appreciated that the President of the General Assembly and the chairs of the committees start each meeting on time during the current session.
Third, Japan welcomes the adoption of GA Resolution 68/307, which decided to move the elections of the Security Council and ECOSOC to earlier dates, and they will take place in June this year.
Likewise, we may consider an earlier election of the PGA, so that the President-elect of the General Assembly will be afforded sufficient time to set up his or her team and prepare for the handover. I believe that this idea is in line with the suggestion made by several Chairs of the main Committees stressing the need to have early elections for smooth transition.
Fourth, enhancing fairness in the management of the UN body remains an important topic of discussion. We argued last year during the same occasion that the speakers list during the high-level week should more closely reflect current realities. Countries like Japan, in which the Head of State plays a ceremonial or symbolic role and the Head of Government has the highest political mandate, should be dealt with as such.
As for the annual report from the Security Council to the General Assembly, as pointed out by the delegate of Dominican Republic on behalf of CELAC, Japan, which is currently the chair of Security Council Informal Working Group on documentation and other procedural questions, places importance on the improvement of the working method of the Security Council. Japan will make efforts on this point, in cooperation with the other member states of the Security Council.
Co-chairs,
In conclusion, we believe that the GA is the most important main body of the UN as this is the body which can reflect the voices of all 193 member states. Therefore, we also believe that the GA should continue to be relevant in this world and to be effective and efficient in the implementation of the mandates of the UN and the deliberation of the issues discussed. We should be seriously and earnestly tackling the issue of the revitalization of the GA, notably the improvement of the working methods of the GA.
I thank you, Mr. Co-Chairs.
