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Statement by H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami
Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations
At the high-level thematic debate
on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
21 April 2016
Mr. / Madame Chair,
Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for organizing this important event. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Japan, allow me to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of support and condolences from around the world to the victims and affected people of the recent earthquakes in the Prefecture of Kumamoto, Japan. I would, furthermore, like to convey our profound sympathy and solidarity with the people of Ecuador who have also suffered a devastating earthquake this month.
The year 2015 was an epoch making milestone, as our joint efforts culminated in the series of adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. We further decided that all of these agreements will be implemented in an integrated manner. Today’s debate is most timely as it follows directly the Forum and links the two agendas to one of the gravest global challenges of all time —climate change— which is the subject of the historic Paris Agreement to be signed tomorrow.
Let me now turn to Japan’s efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda.
First, we acknowledge that the implementation of the 2030 agenda is a long and difficult process. All policies and resources need to be mobilized by all actors, as was agreed at Addis Ababa, which is easier said than done. As for the resources, domestic resource mobilization is the key, while ODA is also important especially as a catalyst and for LDCs. Japan, as one of the largest donors, stands ready to continue to provide ODA to support the efforts of partner countries to attain sustainable development. This year, the Government of Japan increased its ODA budget for the first time in seventeen years by 9.8 billion yen.
Secondly, on the implementation in Japan, we are planning to establish a new and coherent platform among relevant ministries. As agreed, this Agenda is a universal one, and the Government of Japan will sincerely implement it for the realization of sustainable development. This will be done in close cooperation with all stakeholders including Parliament, the private sector, civil society, and the academic and scientific communities. We have already started working with such non-governmental actors to establish a better framework for the cooperation.
Third, we are convinced that resilient, sustainable and quality infrastructure is absolutely essential for quality growth. We will continue to share our knowledge and experience on this issue. In this connection, this coming August we are happy to hold the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), which will be held in Kenya; the first time in Africa. We will take up issues, such as promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialization and promoting social stability for sustainable development.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to reiterate our determination to accelerate our efforts working with all Member States and stakeholders.
Thank you.
