Statement by H.E. Mr. Tsuneo Nishida
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Debate of the United Nations Security Council
On Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
13 October 2010

Mr. President,
Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for their respective briefings on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict and women’s participation in peacebuilding. Japan appreciates as well the President’s initiative to convene this very important debate on post-conflict peacebuilding, following the ministerial-level discussions in April and the Security Council Summit held last month.

Mr. President,

(Peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict)

Japan welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on implementation of the agenda outlined in his 2009 report. The observations in the report are all certainly relevant. We look forward to the further progress on all priority agenda set forth. Among other things, Japan would like to highlight the following three points with a view to filling in gaps in the transition process from peacekeeping to peacebuidling.

First, in light of the utmost importance of the national capacity development, more robust action is needed in “mainstreaming it as a system-wide priority and to integrate short-term interventions into longer-term strategies for peacebuilding.” As shown in the cases such as Timor-Leste and Liberia, the exit strategies rely on national security capabilities.

Second, Japan stresses the need for the United Nations system as a whole to clarify the division of roles for engaging in post-conflict peacebuilding. In this regard, Japan calls upon the Secretariat to complete the reviews in remaining sectors of the six key peacebuilding sectors, in particular the DDR and SSR areas, as early as possible. Based on the outcome of the reviews, we should embark on establishing better coordinated system for an increased effectiveness of United Nations support on the ground.

Third, since its establishment in 2005, the PBC has made steady progress, but we believe that the Commission should further develop its functions. First and foremost, it is essential for the PBC to identify peacebuilding priorities in a timely manner through consultations with post-conflict countries and to facilitate necessary support from the international community as appropriate. Japan is ready to take active part in the discussion for the PBC review, taking into account the report submitted by the three co-facilitators from Mexico, Ireland and South Africa.

Finally, under this item, I would like to stress the importance of strengthening the PBC’s advisory function for the Security Council. In the newly adopted Presidential Note 507 on the working methods (S/2010/507), the Council expresses its intention to invite the Chairs of country-specific configurations of the PBC as appropriate, to participate in formal meetings of the Council at which the situation concerning the country in question is considered, or on a case-by-case basis, for an exchange of views in an informal dialogue. Japan hopes that the deepened substantive discussions between the two organs will lead to better impact of the United Nations on the ground. In this regard, Japan proposes to explore the possibility of having such an Informal Dialogue before the end of the year in an appropriate occasion.

Mr. President,

(Women’s participation in peacebuilding)

Japan welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on women’s participation in peacebuilding. We expect that the Secretary-General will steadfastly implement the action plan for gender-responsive peacebuilding to which he committed in the report, as part of his comprehensive agenda to improve United Nations peacebuilding efforts.

The Security Council will commemorate the 10th anniversary of its landmark resolution 1325 later this month. In this regard, the Security Council should conduct a substantive review of the implementation of the action plan under its peacebuilding agenda in order to further mainstream the issue of women and peace and security in the Council’s overall agenda over the next decade.

Japan strongly expects that the newly established UN Women will play an important role, through the implementation of both policies and programmes. The agenda regarding women and peace and security, including women’s participation in peacebuilding should be addressed by coordinating relevant UN activities effectively and efficiently.

Mr. President,

Japan will actively contribute to the activities of UN Women while continuing to support the enhancement of women’s participation in peacebuilding, including, inter alia, through the economic empowerment of women in the post-conflict situation, from the perspective of human security.

Thank you.