Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koichi Mizushima

Ambassador in Charge of United Nations Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

 

At the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council

On Peace Consolidation in West Africa:

Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in the Gulf of Guinea

 

25 April 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          Japan highly appreciates the initiative taken by China, Angola and Senegal for convening this important meeting. I would also like to join others in thanking Mr. Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for their informative briefings. Japan also welcomes the adoption of the Presidential Statement on Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in the Gulf of Guinea.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Since ancient times, mankind has benefited from the many blessings the sea provides, and maritime transportation has been connecting the world.

          It is our significant common interest to maintain a maritime order based upon the universally recognized principles of international law.

 

          Piracy is a threat to the safety of sea lanes around the world, and countering piracy is a vital issue of all of us as we benefit from maritime trade. The international community as a whole should address this issue.

 

          For its part, Japan has actively contributed to the maintenance and stability of maritime order including through efforts to counter piracy and armed robbery in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and off the coast of Somalia.

 

          We have seen a substantial drop in the number of piracy cases off the coast of Somalia recently, however, that of the Gulf of Guinea still remains high.

 

Mr. President,

 

          United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2018 and 2039 have played an important role in raising international awareness on the issues of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.

 

          Since 2012, the G7 has stressed the importance of this issue. In the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Maritime Security issued earlier this month, they expressed their determination to cooperate through capacity building assistance for maritime security and safety to help coastal states deal with their own vulnerabilities, and recognized the importance of the framework of G7++Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FOGG) where the countries concerned, international organisations and shipping industries exchange views over the regional challenges and needs.

 

          We believe that the coastal countries should have primary responsibility in addressing the issues of the Gulf of Guinea, including through such regional frameworks as the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activity in West and Central Africa, which is Yaoundé Code of Conduct.

 

          On the other hand, there is lack of funds and manpower to implement the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and each maritime security strategy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

 

          It is important for the international community to support the efforts made by regional frameworks and countries to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea in the region.

 

          From this point of view, Japan is supporting projects for the implementation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, making the largest contribution to the IMO West and Central Africa Maritime Security Trust Fund.

 

          Last December, Japan also provided equipment and materials to the regional academy of maritime science and technology (ARSTM) in Abidjan. This will enhance navigation technology and the capacity of maritime safety for its students. This creates synergy with assistance being provided by France to the inter-regional maritime security institutes in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

          Furthermore, Japan is considering providing assistance so that the Extraordinary African Union Summit on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa can be held in Lome, Togo in October 2016.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Let me conclude by reaffirming Japan’s determination to work towards countering piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, together with the international community, including in this Council.

 

          Japan will also focus on this issue at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ⅵ, which will take place for the first time in Africa,  this coming August in Kenya.

 

          I thank you, Mr. President.

END