Statement by Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Chargé d’ Affaires
At the Debate of the United Nations Security Council
on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
16 March 2015
- Opening
- Afghanistan’s Decade of Transformation
- Afghanistan’s progress and challenges ahead
- Strengthening governance and institution-building
- Advancing political reconciliation
- Laying the foundation for sustainable economic development
- Closing
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to France for convening today’s important meeting. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. Nicholas Haysom for his detailed briefing. I would also like to thank Ambassador Tanin for his remarks.
Furthermore, I would like to join other Member States in welcoming today’s adoption of the Security Council Resolution that renews the mandate of UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan). I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Ambassador Oyarzun Marchesi and the Permanent Mission of Spain for their leadership in the renewal process.
Mr. President,
This year Afghanistan will embark on its path towards self-reliance through the Transformation Decade. We welcome the strong determination and capacity that the government and the people of Afghanistan have shown in addressing the important challenges that the country faces.
Afghanistan, nevertheless, does not stand alone. The Tokyo and London Conferences have reiterated that the international community stands ready to continue their support for Afghanistan, under the concept of mutual accountability.
The extension of UNAMA’s mandate is testimony to the international community’s commitment to Afghanistan. Japan expects that UNAMA, as an embodiment of the international community’s engagement with Afghanistan, will continue to play an important role in supporting the Afghan-led political process and socio-economic development.
Mr. President,
The first democratic transition of power marked a watershed in Afghanistan’s pursuit of self-reliance. Under the guidance of, and cooperation between, President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, we look to the National Unity Government to successfully implement its ambitious reform program.
However, it is regrettable that a full cabinet has yet to be formed six months after an agreement was reached. We reiterate our call to the new leadership to form an inclusive National Unity Government that can tackle the challenges that the country faces.
In this regard, I would like to touch upon three points of particular importance as Afghanistan embarks on its Transformation Decade: namely, (1) strengthening governance and institution-building, (2) advancing political reconciliation and (3) laying the foundation for sustainable economic development.
Mr. President,
First, we believe that strengthening governance and institution-building will be fundamental in achieving self-reliance. A critical component of this is the strengthening of Afghanistan’s own security forces. With the conclusion of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), the Afghan government is now called upon to take full responsibility for security and public order.
We are therefore concerned with the recent rise of terrorism and civilian casualties. To this effect, Japan will continue to help reinforce Afghanistan’s law enforcement capacity. Our assistance on this issue will be carried out principally through the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA), to which Japan has hitherto contributed more than one billion dollars. In light of the importance of maintaining security, we hope that Afghanistan and international donors will be able to agree on LOTFA’s form of management that is reliable and acceptable to all parties involved, via constructive dialogue.
Mr. President,
Secondly, political reconciliation is crucial for Afghanistan’s long-term stability. In light of this, Japan values the Afghan Government’s efforts in leading the Afghan-led process toward peace, reintegration and reconciliation.
Japan also welcomes Afghanistan’s increased cooperation with regional partners that is conducive to peace. Japan, for its part, will continue to support the reintegration of ex-combatants by providing vocational training and promoting job creation in key sectors such as agriculture.
Mr. President,
Thirdly, we note with concern the recent economic slowdown. This affects not only government revenues but also the welfare of ordinary Afghan citizens. Hence it is all the more crucial for Afghanistan to attain a strong, endogenous and sustainable economy. The development of infrastructure and human resources would underpin this objective. Strengthening the agricultural sector is also important due to its large potential for job creation.
To this effect, Japan has provided assistance to reinforce Afghanistan’s infrastructure and facilitate its integration into the global economy. These include, amongst others, our assistance for the rehabilitation and expansion of Kabul International Airport, the reinforcement of land routes with neighboring countries and the rehabilitation for irrigation facilities in rural areas.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as the Promotion and Enhancement of the Afghan Capacity for Effective Development (PEACE), Japan is helping train Afghan officials that will lead the country’s economic development through and beyond the Transformation Decade.
Mr. President,
It is said that a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. We are confident that the millions of Afghans who made their historic voices heard last September will, along with the Government of National Unity, cement the foundations for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
As testimony to Japan’s solidarity with Afghanistan, the Japanese Government has decided to disburse an additional 242 million dollars before the end-of this month. We hope this will reinforce Afghanistan’s first steps into the Decade of Transformation. Japan, along with the international community, stands ready to accompany Afghanistan in their path towards reform and self-reliance.
