YouSaid · the spoken record

Junichiro Koizumi,

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27

first

2002-09-24

most recent

2004-09-24

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2

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un-general-debate

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1. “I would like to call upon the members of this body to work together and take a bold step towards the creation of a new United Nations for the new era.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

2. “In order to better reflect today's world, it is also necessary to remove the 'enemy State' clauses from the Charter, as the General Assembly has already recognized those provisions to be obsolete. The scale of assessments for Member States needs to be more balanced. Next year, the United Nations will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary. We will hold a high-level plenary meeting to review progress on all of the commitments in the Millennium Declaration. Development, global security and United Nations reform are all high on the agenda. Changes are needed on all fronts. The time has come to make a historic decision to reform the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular. Time is limited. Our future - the future of the United Nations - is at stake.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

3. “Such global contributions to peace are rooted in the fundamental, cherished beliefs of the Japanese people, who have been seeking an honoured place in an international community that strives for peace and prosperity. Those contributions are, I believe, greatly appreciated by the international community. Recent United Nations peace operations show that there are many dimensions to the achievement and consolidation of peace. Making peace a reality requires comprehensive efforts, ranging from peace-building to nation-building. Japan's role has thus become increasingly vital to the maintenance of international peace and security, which is precisely the mandate of the Security Council. We believe that the role that Japan has played provides a solid basis for its assumption of permanent membership of the Security Council.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

4. “The universal purpose of the United Nations ó our common goal - is to maintain international peace and security. In striving towards that goal, each Member State must fulfil its role, commensurate with its own capabilities. It is our conviction that peace cannot be achieved through force alone. On the basis of that conviction, Japan has played an active and distinctive role. Japan has made considerable resources available for United Nations peacekeeping operations, as well as for reconstruction efforts to assist in the consolidation of peace. Japanís Self-Defense Forces have conducted humanitarian and reconstruction activities in such areas as Timor-Leste and Iraq.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

5. “The reform of the Security Council must be at the core of those changes. In recent years, the role of the Security Council has expanded dramatically in scope and nature. The Security Council must fulfil its expanded role, with the maximum cooperation and participation of the international community. To that end, the Security Council must improve its representation to better reflect today's world. In addition, the Council must be provided with adequate resources to address challenges effectively. Countries with the will and the resources to play a major role in international peace and security must always take part in the Councilís decision-making process. The Security Council therefore needs to be expanded, both in its permanent and non-permanent categories, adding new members from both developing and developed countries.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

6. “33 As the international community rises to meet the challenges we face in todayís world, the United Nations must not be left on the sidelines. We need a strong and effective United Nations. Indeed, we must create a new United Nations for the new era. I applaud the timely initiative by the Secretary-General of establishing the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. I trust that the Panel will present the Secretary-General with a bold and ambitious plan for reforming the United Nations. Peace and security, and economic and social issues are increasingly intertwined. The response of the United Nations must be coordinated and comprehensive. United Nations agencies and organs must be effective and efficient. Changes are needed throughout the United Nations system.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

7. “In addition, Japan intends to provide in- kind assistance to the Sudanese refugees in Chad. In East Asia, there has been remarkable economic development. Japan has been working with the countries in the region to build solid foundations for their own efforts towards economic development. In that region, active efforts are also under way to foster community-building. Building upon the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three, I have advocated the idea of an East Asia community. This year, Japan is a candidate for non-permanent membership on the Security Council. Japan, if elected, will redouble its efforts to play a constructive and innovative role in the Council, based on its global contributions.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

8. “Last year, Japan organized TICAD III, with the participation of 89 countries and 47 international organizations. African countries are now promoting regional collaboration through the African Union and working to implement the New Partnership for Africaís Development (NEPAD). The collaboration between TICAD and NEPAD is significant, because both processes are grounded in the principles of ownership and partnership. A stable and prosperous Africa depends upon the promotion of trade and investment, together with official development assistance. This autumn, Japan will host the TICAD Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference. Today, in Africa, we are witnessing the unfolding of another humanitarian crisis. We share the international communityís grave concern over Darfur. Japan has decided to provide humanitarian assistance of $21 million.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

9. “In addressing development challenges, including the Millennium Development Goals, Japan will move forward, making further efforts for the strategic and effective use of official development assistance, bearing those principles in mind. The protection and empowerment of individuals and communities is the foundation of international peace and security. That is why Japan is advocating the concept of human security. Based upon that idea, Japan is making efforts to realize a seamless transition from humanitarian assistance to reconstruction support in countries such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. It is my strong belief that there can be no stability and prosperity in the world unless Africaís issues are resolved. Japan initiated the process of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 1993.”

   2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

10. “The benefit that the Democratic Peopleís Republic of Korea would receive by resolving those issues would be substantial. There is no benefit for it in continuing to pursue its nuclear programme. After the Second World War, Japan experienced a dramatic economic recovery, with the help of the international community. On the basis of our own experience, we are keenly aware that, in promoting international cooperation, self-help efforts are essential to overcoming difficulties and achieving a prosperous society. Japanís official development assistance therefore has been based on the principles of ownership and partnership. Environmental conservation must also proceed hand in hand with economic development. Japan has taken the lead in global efforts in such areas as climate change and environmental protection.”

    2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

11. “Japan hopes to achieve a peaceful and safe world free of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, Japan has collaborated with other countries to prevent States of concern and non-State actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. We must allow no room for terrorism to prevail. In the fight against terrorism, Japan is doing its utmost to strengthen domestic legislation and related measures, and will continue to cooperate with other countries. The nuclear and missile issues on the Korean peninsula present a serious challenge to the peace and stability of north-east Asia and to the international community as a whole. Japan is determined to continue to seek a comprehensive resolution of the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue in line with the Pyongyang Declaration. The six-party talks must go forward.”

    2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

12. “Japan hosted the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in January 2002. Japan has been actively promoting Afghan efforts for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The Afghan people are working hard to prepare for presidential as well as parliamentary elections. Those elections are the most 32 important milestones for a new, democratic Afghanistan. The international community and the United Nations must stand by the Afghan and Iraqi peoples in their strenuous efforts to rebuild their countries. Weapons of mass destruction, missiles and terrorism threaten international security in todayís world. Japan is the only country ever to have suffered nuclear devastation. As such, Japan has been at the forefront in promoting nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation.”

    2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

13. “Our activities in Iraq and Afghanistan offer excellent examples. In Iraq, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, Japan has joined international efforts to assist in the Iraqi people's own struggle towards a democratic and prosperous nation. Japan has been cooperating with the Iraqi people to help them improve their daily life and rebuild the foundation of their public life. The humanitarian and reconstruction activities of Japanís Self-Defence Forces and its financial assistance of $5 billion are working in tandem to that end. In order to promote international solidarity, Japan will host the third Meeting of the Donorsí Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq next month. In Afghanistan, Japan has from the very beginning taken the lead in assisting national reconstruction efforts.”

    2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

14. “Today, the international community is striving to meet challenges that the founders of the United Nations could not have envisioned sixty years ago. The fight against terrorism and efforts to ensure non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are just a few examples of those challenges. Japan has always pursued international cooperation centring on the United Nations. As the international community faces new realities, the United Nations must adapt and address them. The United Nations was created to bring about a peaceful, prosperous, and just world. To that end, Member States have united their strengths to promote international cooperation. Convinced that it can contribute to creating a better world through its own capabilities, Japan has endeavoured steadfastly to fulfil its role as a responsible United Nations Member.”

    2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)

15. “The United Nations also must continue to reform itself so as to respond to new situations in the world by constantly reviewing its organization and functions. The prescription for reform is already shown in the Millennium Declaration. In order to achieve the goals contained in the Declaration and build a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, every Member State should renew its determination to achieve reform in the United Nations and take actions toward that end. Japan will make its utmost efforts to ensure that the United Nations is able to meet the challenges of the twenty- first century.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

16. “We, that is all Member States, must breathe new life into the United Nations by strengthening its functions through reforms. Next year, the debate on Security Council reform will enter its tenth year. I believe that we should 19 now focus our discussion on such questions as the number of seats on an enlarged Security Council. Japan intends to work hard to that end. In this connection, I would remind all Member States of the question of the enemy State' clauses, meaningless legacies of the twentieth century, that remain in the United Nations Charter. Since assuming office as Prime Minister in April 2001, I have proceeded with a series of reforms to enable Japan to respond appropriately to the new era.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

17. “I believe that Japan, as the only country in human history to have suffered nuclear devastation, has a significant role to play in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Japan will continue its efforts to realize a peaceful and safe world, free of nuclear weapons, as early as possible. To that end, we will propose a draft resolution entitled A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons' at this session of the General Assembly, and we will redouble our efforts to achieve the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. When addressing these challenges, we must ensure that the variety of measures taken by Member States are effectively coordinated. The United Nations must exercise its leadership in this endeavour.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

18. “In order to help strengthen both African ownership and the partnership with the international community, and building on the results of the successful World Summit on Sustainable Development that took place in Johannesburg, Japan will convene the third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) in October 2003. Also, in pursuit of sustainable development, it will host an international ministerial-level conference on water in Kyoto in March 2003. Japan will continue to participate actively in worldwide actions for environmental protection and development by providing expertise and taking concrete action. Fourthly, I would like to touch upon the nuclear disarmament issue.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

19. “Japan will actively support the efforts of African States for conflict resolution and the consolidation of peace. The third challenge is the simultaneous achievement of environmental protection and development. Towards that end, it is of course important to utilize all available financial resources and to develop human resources, which are the engine of nation-building. However, ownership by developing countries and their partnership with the international community, which supports their ownership, are also essential. In this respect, we welcome the development of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the establishment of the African Union as manifestations of ownership by African countries.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

20. “We will do so particularly by providing technical assistance for democratization. Elections by the Palestinians are the first step towards nation-building and I believe that the international community should extend assistance to ensure their success. However, putting an end to the vicious circle of violence remains our most urgent task. Japan resolutely condemns terrorist acts by Palestinian extremists and strongly urges Israel to immediately withdraw its troops to the line of September 2000, halt its military operations and lift the economic closures in the autonomous areas. In Africa, peace and stability are prerequisites for development. We are encouraged by the positive movements in that continent, such as the realization of peace in Angola and a partial ceasefire in Sudan.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

21. “Concerning Afghanistan, at the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan held in Tokyo in January, Japan strove to solidify the resolve of the international community. We are now preparing a programme to assist the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, which will give form to our proposed Register for Peace. My country is also contributing to regional reconstruction by developing an assistance project for the resettlement of refugees and displaced people in such areas as Kandahar. In the Middle East, it is crucial that the vision of the peaceful coexistence of Israel and an independent Palestinian State materialize as early as possible. Japan will assist the reform of the Palestinian Authority, which is aimed at the establishment of a new State by the Palestinian people.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

22. “Japan attaches great importance to extending post-conflict assistance for the consolidation of peace and nation-building to prevent the recurrence of conflicts. Having developed a mechanism to enable it to cooperate effectively in broader areas, Japan has entered a new stage in its cooperation with peacekeeping operations. This positive posture is manifested in its deployment since February of 690 Self-Defence Force personnel, mainly as an engineer group, to the peacekeeping operation in East Timor. Japan will enhance its cooperation in other areas as well, such as demining, rehabilitation of infrastructure, elections and the establishment of systems for internal security.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

23. “It is important to develop international norms in this area, such as a comprehensive convention on international terrorism and an international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism. Safe havens for terrorists cannot be allowed. Japan will further strengthen its domestic counter-terrorism measures. Consulting closely with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, it will share its knowledge and expertise in counter-terrorism measures with those States that are in need of it. Japan will respond to threats where weapons of mass destruction might be used in acts of terrorism by actively joining the efforts of the international community to prevent the proliferation of these weapons. 18 The second challenge is the consolidation of peace and nation-building.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

24. “I will also touch upon my ideas for the realization of United Nations reform, which is essential in order for this Organization to tackle these challenges successfully. The first challenge is the fight against terrorism. Just after the terrorist attacks on 11 September, I visited ground zero. Seeing with my own eyes the magnitude of the destruction, I was speechless at the enormity of the terrorist attack. 11 September is a challenge not only to the United States, but also to all humankind. The prevention and eradication of terrorism are an important task for the United Nations and, indeed, for all Member States. Japan calls upon all States to accede to international conventions related to terrorism.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

25. “Iraq must comply with all the relevant Security Council resolutions. In particular, Iraq must allow immediate and unconditional inspections and dispose of all weapons of mass destruction. It is important for the international community to continue to work together and to engage more strenuously in diplomatic efforts through the United Nations. In doing so, we must pursue the adoption of necessary and appropriate Security Council resolutions as soon as possible. Terrorism remains a critical issue this year. Today, in addition to terrorism, I would like to take up other major challenges which the United Nations must address and to describe Japan's contributions in those areas, namely, the consolidation of peace and nation- building, the environment and development, and nuclear disarmament.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

26. “The beautiful sound of the bell, which was made from coins collected from all over the world, reminds us of what the United Nations represents. In order to ensure world peace and prosperity, we need to harmonize a range of efforts which encompass not only military measures, but also initiatives for the solution of poverty problems and the establishment of social infrastructures that will put an end to human rights violations. The United Nations should be a forum where the contributions of each and every State are consolidated and implemented in the most efficient manner. No single State or organization can accomplish this. Only the United Nations is capable of carrying out such a lofty task. In this connection, I would like to refer to the issue of Iraq, which is of grave concern to the international community.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)

27. “First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr. Jan Kavan on his assumption of the Presidency of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly. At the same time, I pay high tribute to Mr. Han Seung-soo, former President of the General Assembly, for his leadership. I am pleased on this occasion to congratulate Switzerland on becoming a United Nations Member State. My congratulations also go to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which declared its independence on 20 May. Japan heartily supports its admission to the membership of the United Nations. The Peace Bell in the garden of United Nations Headquarters was presented to the United Nations in 1954 by the Japanese people with a prayer for world peace. It has been rung every year for world peace.”

    2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)