Statements

 

 

Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Debate of the United Nations Security Council

On the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)

21 December 2015

 

 

Madame President,

 

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to you for convening this debate on Afghanistan. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Mr. Nicholas Haysom for his tireless efforts in Kabul and his comprehensive briefing.

 

Madame President,

 

Three years ago in Tokyo, we all agreed to realize Afghanistan’s self-reliance. In the Tokyo framework, the principle of mutual accountability between Afghanistan and the international community was agreed.

 

While Japan appreciates the progress made in various areas of priority such as counter-corruption and electoral reform, it is disappointing that key positions, such as Attorney General and Defense Minister, have not yet been filled. In view of the spirit of mutual accountability, I strongly hope that the Afghan government makes further efforts in this regard.

 

As described in the Secretary-General’s latest report on Afghanistan, Afghan security forces continue to face challenges. Since the last open debate in September, we have seen a series of high-profile security breaches, including the one in Kunduz, 5th largest city of Afghanistan. Improvement of security situation is the most important prerequisite for development of Afghanistan.

 

It is crucial that Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process will be advanced. In this context, Japan welcomes positive outcome of the meeting held in Islamabad in early December. I would like to call upon all stakeholders to move forward for the ultimate goal of peace and reconciliation.

 

Madame President,

 

When I made a statement on Afghanistan at the Security Council in September, I emphasized the notion of “self-reliance.”

 

My key word today is again “self-reliance.”

 

As a former Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan of Japan, I believe that Afghanistan has great potential for realizing self-reliance. Let me elaborate.

 

Firstly, agriculture is a key sector for generating jobs and income in Afghanistan, with a view to leading to greater social stability and a significant reduction in crime.

 

Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a Japanese medical doctor, launched an irrigation project in the Gamberi Desert in Nangarhar Province in 2003. By utilizing centuries old traditional Japanese irrigation technology combined with Afghanistan’s own traditional methods, his “Green Ground Project” succeeded in establishing a highly effective irrigation system. The desert transformed into fertile land in 10 years, with the investment of approximately 24 million US dollars so far.

 

The Government of Japan has been cooperating with the Afghan Government and other organizations to introduce this irrigation system to other areas of Afghanistan. Two days ago, on December 19th, Japan announced an agriculture and irrigation project, worth approximately 13.5 million US dollars, which covers such northern provinces as Kunduz, Baghlan, and Takhar.

 

It is one vivid example of how Japan commits itself to exploring Afghanistan’s potential in agriculture for realizing self-reliance.

 

Madame President,

 

Secondly, enhanced regional cooperation, with improved regional connectivity, will provide a stronger foundation for economic growth and self-reliance.

 

Afghanistan is rich in agricultural and mineral resources, but they are not fully accessed or utilized due to many obstacles. The under-developed transportation infrastructure both within and outside Afghanistan is one of such obstacles. This year, the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly promoted preliminary studies on improving inter-connectivity in the region. One such study is the feasibility study of railway, which will connect western Afghanistan to Turkmenistan and hopefully open the door to new economic opportunities.

 

Another obstacle is the lack of appropriate border controls. When effectively installed, border controls greatly enhance regional economic activities. They also address illicit drug trafficking problem and its linkage with terrorist financing. In this regard, Japan has been steadily supporting counter narcotics measures in this region for the past 10 years, cooperating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan and its neighboring countries.

 

Madame President,

 

Thirdly, human resources can lay the foundation for Afghanistan’s economic development and self-reliance, and enhance the capability of future government operations.

 

More than 400 young Afghan government officials have received a post-graduate education in Japan under Japan International Cooperation Agency’s PEACE Program (for the Promotion and Enhancement of Afghanistan’s Capacity for Effective Development).

 

In addition, Japan has been contributing to capacity building of disaster management officials. It is an important area for Afghanistan, which has been a victim of many natural disasters. For example, in February this year, Japan and Pakistan jointly organized a training program for 24 Afghan officials in Islamabad. This is not only an effective measure of human resources development, but also a confidence building measure between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

 

Madame President,

 

As a member of the Security Council starting in January, we are determined to continue with our assistance to Afghanistan, so the Afghan government can realize peace, stability and self-reliance.

 

As the Afghan Government implements its commitments on the basis of mutual accountability and makes a crucial transition towards self-reliance, Japan stands ready to offer its support in cooperation with the international community.

 

I thank you, Madame President.