Statement by Mr. Taro Tsutsumi
Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
Agenda Item 60: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Questions Relating to Refugees, Returnees and
Displaced Persons and Humanitarian Questions
71st Session of the Third Committee
Of the United Nations General Assembly
3 November 2016

 

 

Mr. / Madame Chair,

 

          At the outset, I would like to congratulate Mr. Filippo Grandi on his appointment as the High Commissioner for Refugees. Refugee and displacement crises have become worse than they have ever been since the end of the Second World War. Consequently, the responsibility and expectation on UNHCR have also become larger than ever. We count on the able leadership of Mr. Grandi, which he demonstrated in the past as the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

 

          In this regard, I welcome that Mr. Grandi announced the five core strategic directions of the future activities of the UNHCR at the Executive Committee in Geneva last month, which gained support from various Member States.

 

Mr. / Madame Chair,

 

          This year, the international community has been bringing together its wisdom to discuss possibilities to address the unprecedented refugee situation. 

 

          In May, the World Humanitarian Summit was held in Turkey, in which displacement was one of the most discussed issues. Right after this event, Japan hosted the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. The Leaders’ Declaration of the Summit highlighted the importance of mid- and long-term efforts to address refugee and migrant issues. In September, as all of us remember very well, the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants, as well as the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, at which world leaders committed to tackle this issue, were held during the High-Level Week.

 

          From here on out, follow-ups to these meetings are of great importance. Japan will firmly implement the commitments it announced at each of this series of international conferences. At the same time, agencies are expected to pursue the greatest effectiveness and efficiency while implementing assistance. In this regard, the adoption of the “Grand Bargain” on humanitarian finance at the World Humanitarian Summit was a great step forward. Japan expects the UNHCR to firmly implement the “Grand Bargain” and make its operations even more efficient.

 

          Japan notes with appreciation the fact that the importance of the humanitarian- development nexus was stressed throughout this series of Summit meetings. It demonstrates that a paradigm shift has begun after decades of discussions. On the other hand, deeds must follow words. Donor countries should further increase, utilize and coordinate humanitarian and development financing effectively, and agencies should further collaborate beyond their respective fields.

 

Mr. / Madame Chair,

 

          It goes without saying that the largest cause of the flow of refugees is the Syrian Crises, which has sadly entered its sixth year. Japan calls on the entire international community to further implement humanitarian assistance inside Syria, as well as to assist host countries surrounding Syria accepting huge number of refugees.

 

          On the other hand, we must not forget that refugee and displacement on the African continent are still critical. Especially, the discussions with regard to the closure of the Dadaab refugee camps showed once again how serious and protracted these crises are.

 

          In order to solve humanitarian crises including refugee issues, their root causes such as poverty, inequality and instability must be addressed. Based on this understanding, Japan has co-hosted Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Kenya in August this year. We sincerely hope that the advancement of development and peace through this process will contribute to a durable solution to the refugee problem in Africa.

           

Mr. / Madame Chair,

 

          In concluding, I would like to pay tribute to the staff of the UNHCR all around the world, both in the field as well as in Geneva and New York. Once again, I would like to express Japan’s full support to the activities of UNHCR.

 

I thank you.