(Check Against Delivery)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Debate of the Security Council
On the Situation in Afghanistan
18 September 2014
Madam President,
I would like to express my gratitude to you for convening today's meeting.
Allow me to begin my statement today by thanking Special Representative Ján Kubiš for his unwavering leadership of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The mission led by Mr. Kubiš has been playing a vital role in the political process and development of Afghanistan, despite difficult circumstances on the ground.
I would also like to pay tribute to Mr. John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States. Secretary Kerry has been instrumental in facilitating an agreement on a government of national unity between the two Presidential candidates, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.
Madam President,
Since the landmark Tokyo Conference of January 2002, the international community has been steadfast in its commitment to the development of Afghanistan. In the Tokyo Declaration of 2012, Afghanistan and the international community established the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF). This framework aims at strengthening international partnership for the sustainable development of Afghanistan throughout the "Transformation Decade", which starts next year.
Since 2001, Japan has contributed $5.4 billion towards the security and sustainable development of Afghanistan. This makes my country the second largest donor after the United States. As Japan's first Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, I have had the honor of taking an active part in this process.
Madam President,
As embodied in the TMAF, the international community's ability to sustain support for Afghanistan depends upon Afghanistan delivering on its own commitments. Long-term international support presupposes a credible and legitimate partner on the Afghan side.
Hence, Japan expresses its disappointment at the recurrent delays in the electoral process. More than five months have already passed since the first round of Presidential elections on 5 April. Nevertheless, consultations between the two candidates have yet to lead to an agreement on the establishment of a government of national unity.
Afghanistan stands at a crossroads. We do not wish to see our partnership put in jeopardy by further domestic political disarray. We thus reiterate the need for a fair, prompt and peaceful conclusion of the electoral process. Japan urges both sides to live up to the commitments made on 12 July and 8 August, by accepting the final election results and forming a government of national unity as soon as possible.
A vast array of challenges awaits the new government. They include the consolidation of an inclusive political system, fighting corruption, guaranteeing the safety of its people, securing a stable budget and achieving sustainable growth. We hope that a government of national unity supported by broad national consensus will tackle these challenges without delay.
Madam President,
At the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan in July 2012, Japan committed to providing up to $3 billion over a five-year period starting from 2012. Two billion dollars have already been disbursed. Japan looks forward to the day, in a not-so-distant future, when it can work with a new and legitimate government of Afghanistan on its path towards achieving lasting stability and prosperity.
Thank you, Madam President.
