Statement by H. E. Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Statement after the Vote (United Nations Mission in Colombia)
13 September 2016

 

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

 

Japan is very pleased to have co-sponsored Resolution 2307, adopted unanimously today.  This is an important step forward for Colombia’s reconciliation and development after a half-century of conflict and four years of peace talks. 

 

Japan would like to once again welcome the Final Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP on 24 August. We congratulate the parties for this historic achievement for the good of the people of Colombia.  Japan particularly commends Cuba, Norway, Chile and Venezuela for their contribution to this process.

 

We now turn to the essential work of implementation.  As emphasized in Resolution 2261, the people of Colombia must be the true owners of the agreement.  All parties should work together to move the process forward.  But we, the international community, also have a vital role to play through the UN Mission in Colombia.

 

Having co-sponsored Resolutions 2261 and 2307, Japan fully supports the Mission.  We look forward to the Mission’s success over the next year.  Japan also underlines its continued commitment to the political process as well as to the equitable and sustainable socio-economic development of Colombia, including through rehabilitation of victims and post-conflict assistance such as demining. 

 

After more than five decades of conflict, Colombia is approaching a critical phase in achieving national unity and overcoming its remaining challenges, including the laying down of arms and reintegration.  In Japan, we say that on a trip, just as it is reassuring to have a companion, it is similarly important to support each other on the journey through life.  Japan pledges to be such a companion to the people of Colombia as they advance on their journey towards true reconciliation. 

 

Thank you, Mr. President.