Statement by Shinsuke Shimizu
Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
On Agenda Item 54: Questions relating to Information
Fourth Committee
Sixty-ninth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
22 October 2014
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to begin by expressing gratitude to the Chair for convening this meeting, under the outstanding direction of Mr. Nasser, Acting Chief of the Department. I also commend the excellent work being carried out by the Department of Public Information (DPI). As DPI comprehensively covers all United Nations main and priority activities, including rule of law, human rights, freedom of speech, the post-2015 Development Agenda, climate change, international peace and security, and Security Council Reform are highly appreciated.
Mr. Chairman,
The year 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. This is a watershed moment in the history of this organization, which demonstrates a global desire to choose peace and negotiation over bloodshed and war, and exemplifies how far we have come as an international community. As we prepare to write the next chapter in the story of this organization, Japan reiterates its hope that the UN and all of its member states will continue to work to ensure a more effective, efficient United Nations, invoking a future-oriented outlook to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. My delegation also notes the expectation that DPI organize the proper activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN in a forward-looking manner.
Mr. Chairman,
In her capacity as Director, Ms. Kaoru Nemoto continues to expertly guide UNIC Tokyo in disseminating information about the important work of the United Nations to the Japanese public. In this connection, the Government of Japan reiterates its full support for all UN Information Centres and calls on DPI, as they play a vital role, to ensure the continued success of the organization and to support its efforts on a global scale. As in previous years, the Government of Japan has once again made a voluntary financial contribution and will continue supporting UNIC Tokyo to ensure Ms. Nemoto and her colleagues can continue their significant work.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to mention that the 2014 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East held in Tokyo in June 2014 successfully provided a platform to encourage discussions on media issues related to the situation in the Middle East. This seminar, organized by DPI with the Japanese Government and Sophia University, brought together government officials, senior UN officials, academics, representatives of civil society, and journalists to discuss the media's role in promoting transparency and shaping perception of the region's most important challenges. The Government of Japan echoed the Secretary-General's comments in stressing the need for a two-state solution achieved through negotiations.
Mr. Chairman,
In connection with the United Nations Capital Master Plan, my delegation avails itself of this opportunity to humbly request that DPI ensures that the permanent exhibits on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki be returned to their original locations in the General Assembly Hall. We also ask DPI to see that the Peace Bell is returned to its original location, the Japanese Garden beside the GA Hall, by spring of 2015. We welcome that the necessary financial resources have been assured by the Department of Management, so that restoration of the Japanese Garden can be undertaken shortly.
Mr. Chairman,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to DPI for its determined efforts to successfully promote and hold the Peace Bell Ceremony every September. This year's ceremony was particularly memorable, not only because of the singing of John Lennon's "Imagine," but also because of the participation of Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kentaro Sonoura. As next year marks the 70th anniversary of the UN, We look forward to this tradition of peace being given a renewed significance in the restored Japanese Garden.
Mr. Chairman,
Since its inception, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) programme has promoted the UN and built connections between the organization and institutions of higher education. In recent years, the number of Japanese universities partaking in UNAI rose, a positive development which my delegation believes strengthens not only the UN and the member institutions, but especially the youth, who represent the future of this organization. Japan continues to encourage and support the further expansion of UNAI, and looks forward to receiving further updates from the Secretariat on developments in this field.
Mr. Chairman,
In light of worldwide events throughout 2014 that have challenged the fundamental right of the freedom of the press, my delegation looks forward to the UN's first-ever observance of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against journalists on 2 November. Japan calls upon DPI to oversee the coordination of events to observe this important day, and to continue to advocate upholding freedom of expression in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mr. Chairman,
This is a time of new and dangerous challenges to international peace and stability. Climate cdhange, extremist groups, and the Ebola virus, to name a few, pose a tremendous threat to the wellbeing of the global community. The United Nations stands as a key organ to facing these challenges, but must do so with increasingly limited resources. Japan believes it important for the United Nations to continue improving efficiency and transparency through the rationalization of current resources. As in previous years, my delegation calls on DPI to utilize strategic operations to improve the efficiency and transparency of its activities. In closing, I wish to reaffirm Japan's strong support for the Department of Public Information.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
