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Statement by H.E. Mr. Tsuneo Nishida
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Open Debate of the Security Council
On United Nations Peacekeeping: A multidimensional approach
21 January 2013
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to H.E. Jalil Abbas Jilani, Foreign Secretary, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for his leadership in convening today’s open debate. I would also like to express appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and informative briefing which impressed on us the importance of today’s discussion.
Before delving into today's topic, allow me to echo the strong condemnation expressed by the Security Council in its Press Statement on the terrorist attack in In Amenas, Algeria, which has affected many nationals, including some of our own, and has resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. We express our deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims and families of the attack. Perpetrators of such heinous acts must be brought to justice. Japan believes that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. I would like to reiterate Japan's strong determination to combat all forms of terrorism.
Mr. President,
Japan welcomes your initiative of introducing a new resolution highlighting the multidimensional nature of United Nations peacekeeping operations, and we agree that it plays a critical role in the maintenance of international peace and security, preventing and containing conflicts, building peace in post-conflict situations and providing sustainable peace and development. With the purpose of further improvements and reflection on the issue, I would like to share the following three observations with you.
First, I would like to attract your attention to the history of the Japanese contribution to PKOs. In its 20-year history, Japan has proactively taken an early peacebuilding role. In Timor-Leste, Japan delivered engineering, police capacity building, and electoral support. These contribute to building a foundation for its economic development. Last month, this Southeast Asian nation graduated from the PKO with its future prosperity in hand. In Haiti, Japanese Self Defense Forces’ engineers contributed to its national recovery efforts and planted seeds for its future development. In South Sudan, Japanese engineering units are now supporting nation building efforts for the youngest nation in the world. By sharing lessons learned from its premium experiences as an early peacebuilder, Japan would like to invigorate the discussion and consideration for further improvements on this issue.
Second, peacekeeping missions have gone through evolutions, while at the same time struggled to address emerging challenges of this 21st century. In the midst of its evolutionary process, missions are now required to be capable of meeting specific needs and handling complex situations for the successful delivery of their multidimensional functions. To this end, each mission should be launched and operated based on broader support from member states more than ever. The Security Council, a supreme, decision-making authority on the establishment of missions, remains without any substantial changes to its composition or process for decision making for more than six decades. Japan believes the time of change on such decision-making mechanisms is the time when the PKO starts to exercise its full potential to responding to the expectations of a new era.
Third, Japan has also actively engaged in the discussion of the peacekeeping-peacebuilding-development nexus in the context of the Peacebuilding Commission. For example, as the Chair of the Commission's Working Group on Lessons Learned, Japan organized a meeting in December to clarify the role of the PBC vis-à-vis the Security Council while the agenda country of the PBC is undergoing a U.N. mission transition. In order for peacekeeping efforts to generate a long-term impact, enhanced cooperation between the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and other development actors is very much essential. Japan remains committed to promoting such interactions.
Mr. President,
In closing, Japan would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to all peacekeepers for their solid contribution through daily hard work even in the midst of situational severity on the ground. At the same time, Japan would like to express its deepest condolences for those peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and strongly condemns attacks targeting U.N. peacekeepers. Japan will do its best to work towards international peace and security with full respect for the safety and security of personnel.
I thank you. |
