YouSaid · the spoken record

Kishida Fumio

lines on the record: 38
first: 2022-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Looking ahead to next year’s Summit of the Future and the subsequent eightieth anniversary of the United Nations, now is the opportunity to move to concrete action. International cooperation that protects and strengthens human dignity will be the driving force that brings the world back towards the same goal. I am looking forward to deepening this discussion at next year’s Summit of the Future with future generations in mind. As we envision the post-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development world. I believe that human dignity should be the core principle that illuminates the future of the international community. Let us join our forces to strengthen human dignity and create a United Nations for cooperation.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Initiatives to limit the use of the veto, which exacerbates divisions and confrontation in the United Nations, will strengthen and restore confidence in the Security Council. Japan will also pursue its efforts to increase the transparency of discussions in the Security Council, including by improving access to deliberations in the Security Council for Member States other than the permanent members. To that end. Japan will contribute to the clarification of the rules of the Security Council. The world is changing dramatically. We need a Security Council that reflects the world today. Japan supports increased representation of Africa and the need to expand both the permanent and the non-permanent membership of the Council.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I would like to convey my determination to meet with President Kim Jong Un face to face, at any time and without any conditions, and to hold high-level talks under my direct supervision to realize a summit meeting at an early date. The United Nations should be a place of listening to the voices of people facing difficulties, empowering them and overcoming such difficulties through cooperation. It should not be a place of confrontation and division. This year, we have agreed on concrete measures to strengthen the structures that support the President of the General Assembly. That is a firm step towards a United Nations for cooperation. We commend the Secretary-General’s leadership with his vision for multilateralism.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Japan will strengthen the scope and quality of the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme, with an additional contribution of approximately $9 million to support the capacity-building of personnel deployed in African Union peace support operations. Japan’s policy on North Korea remains unchanged. Japan seeks to normalize its relationship with North Korea, in accordance with the Japan-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Pyongyang Declaration, by comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, and the settlement of our unfortunate past. From the perspective of opening up a new era together.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, is infringing upon international law and the rule of law. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world. The situation, which the General Assembly has repeatedly condemned as a violation of the United Nations Charter and human rights, must be rectified as soon as possible and the nuclear threat must be ended. In March. I announced a new plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Based on the principles of freedom, the rule of law. inclusiveness, openness and diversity. Japan will work with countries that share a vision of a world where diverse nations coexist and prosper together. Japan will further extend our support for peacekeepers.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Inscribed in the Charter of the United Nations is the firm determination of our predecessors, following the experience of two world wars, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to protect human dignity. The principles of the United Nations Charter, such as sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force, are fundamental principles of international law allowing people to live in peace and provide the basis of the rule of law. International law exists for the benefit of weaker States. Together, under the rule of law. Japan would like to protect the right of vulnerable nations and peoples to live in peace in order to safeguard and strengthen human dignity. However, to this day.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“At the G-7. both the public and private sectors have pledged more than $48 billion to achieve universal health coverage and to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response to health crises. Japan will contribute $7.5 billion for the period 2022- 2025. Together with the mobilization of domestic financial resources. Japan supports mobilizing financial resources in the private sector through the promotion of impact investments. Japan will continue to work with developing countries, including emerging economies, to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures for health emergencies, based on the Group of 20 outcomes. At a time when the world is at an historical inflection point, we must reflect on how we started here.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The ocean is a new frontier with abundant potential, and it is essential to take comprehensive measures, including making use of blue carbon to tackle climate change. The perspective of international law is also important. Japan supports the preservation of existing baselines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. even after the future regression of coastlines due to sea level rise. As the G-7 presidency, we have set a framework for cooperation on biodiversity conservation and a target of reducing additional plastic pollution to zero by 2040. Japan will continue to contribute in the field of environmental protection. Fourthly, we must prepare for the next infectious disease outbreak. We must be ready for the next infectious disease, learning from the lessons learned in our fight against the coronavirus disease.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“towards attaining trustworthy Al. Japan will also strengthen its support for digitalization in developing countries while ensuring cybersecurity. Thirdly. Japan will work to mitigate the potential impact on people that may arise before net zero is achieved. Asian countries are the key to globally achieving net zero. Under the Asia Zero Emission Community initiative. Japan will promote effective cooperation, taking into account various needs. Japan will further support disaster risk reduction for countries vulnerable to climate change, including island States, aiding efforts towards resilient economies and societies against sea level rise and natural disasters associated with extreme weather events.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We need to protect the safety of women and children, who are the most vulnerable in conflict situations, strengthen border controls and measures against trafficking in persons, and provide international support to retrieve abducted children. The women and peace and security agenda identifies women as crucial and active players in relevant policies for peace and security, and Japan will continue to promote that agenda. The second issue is how to strike a balance between the progress of digitalization and human dignity. Digitalization is bringing benefits to all; however, there are risks of privacy and human rights violations. We need a digital ecosystem and international rules that are compatible with human dignity. That is why. at the G-7 Hiroshima Summit, we launched the Hiroshima Artificial Intelligence (Al) Process on generative Al.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We will also continue to build a global network of young people for nuclear abolition, making use of the Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons, which I established last year in cooperation with the United Nations. It is also essential to ensure nuclear safety and the security of nuclear materials and facilities, including in situations of conflict. We also need to defend the dignity of people threatened by armed conflicts. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues. A food crisis must not be perpetuated. Supporting vulnerable people in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere is essential.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Having nuclear- weapon States engage in concrete nuclear disarmament measures is key. Japan, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, will work with the United Nations and relevant States to promote dialogue between nuclear- weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. To set in stone the trend of mainstreaming nuclear disarmament, it is paramount to transcend purely governmental efforts and to engage in multilayered efforts. To overcome the divisive debate among academia and Government over whether we should be choosing deterrence or disarmament. Japan will contribute ¥3 billion to establish a Japan chair for a world without nuclear weapons at overseas research institutes and think tanks.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“With a view to working towards a world without nuclear weapons, which we have been striving for together with the hibakusha — the surviving victims of atomic bombings — we must crystalize the nuclear disarmament trend, which has been successfully mainstreamed thanks to the efforts of our predecessors. As we speak, we are faced with the threat of the reversal of the downward trend of the global number of nuclear weapons. The significance of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices (FMCT). which was avowed here in the General Assembly 30 years ago. has not diminished by any measure. That is why I recently co-hosted a high- level event on FMCT. with the Philippines and Australia, to refocus political attention towards the FMCT on the thirtieth year of its initial proposal.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“With a view to achieving a world without nuclear weapons, we will continue to bolster realistic and practical efforts, while upholding and strengthening the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by implementing measures under the Hiroshima Action Plan. I call on the political leaders of nuclear-weapon States and other countries around the globe to step up their engagement on nuclear disarmament so that people from all walks of life are exposed to its importance and take concrete action, not despite of but because of the challenging security environment.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Japan will promote transparent and fair development finance in accordance with international rules to achieve sustainable growth in developing countries. Private finance will also be tapped to fill the gap of development finance. Japan will work with other countries to find ways to manage economies that protect human dignity while attracting investment dynamism. In order to address unprecedented crises and challenges and to protect and strengthen human dignity, let us start step by step where we can. The first step is cooperation towards the realization of a peaceful and stable international community where human dignity is respected. Hailing from Hiroshima, which was devastated by atomic bombing. I have made nuclear disarmament my lifelong mission.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“By shedding new light on human dignity. I believe that the international community can overcome differences in regimes or values and steadily advance human-centred international cooperation. Japan has led human-centred international cooperation based on the concept of human security. With that approach, we need to accelerate efforts among the international community to achieve the SDGs. The dignity of the individual must not be neglected as States and the international community tackle global challenges. To overcome inequalities and achieve the SDGs. quality growth and sustainable growth are essential. The key is to invest in people, which is my political credo. The gender perspective is also important for quality growth. Japan aims to reduce inequalities and overcome social divisions by promoting women's participation.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Let us renew our commitment to a strong and effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. The world is facing complex and interrelated issues, ranging from climate change and infectious diseases to challenges to the rule of law. Now. at a time when international cooperation is needed more than ever, we cannot overcome those difficulties if the international community remains divided over ideologies or values. That is why I believe we should go back to the very basic foundation of treating human life and dignity with paramount importance. We should aim for a world caring for human dignity, where vulnerable people can live safely and securely. At a time when the international community is facing multiple crises and increasingly being divided, we need a common language that resonates with all of us.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We have gathered in New York once again. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at their midpoint, facing mounting obstacles. To our dismay, the aggression against Ukraine has yet to cease. This year, as the world stands at a historical inflection point. Japan is serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and the presidency of the Group of Seven (G-7). In those capacities. I have heard the desperate calls for peace and the pleas of vulnerable people seeking help. We should respond to these voices and work towards a world filled with cooperation, not division and confrontation. That is my message to all the leaders of the Member States. In his report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982). Secretary-General Guterres called for international solidarity.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Times change, but one thing remains the same: the vision and the principles of the United Nations. With that conviction, I am determined to work with everyone in order to strengthen the United Nations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In order to promote those efforts, Japan will also revise its Development Cooperation Charter, which articulates the basic policy of our development-cooperation policies. I support the Secretary-General’s leadership in presenting Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) as a response to the current and future challenges facing the international community. As history experiences this dramatic change, Japan will continue to support suffering people around the world under the concept of human security in the new era. Japan will work together with the United Nations and Member States towards the maintenance of peace and stability underpinned by an international order based on the rule of law. It is precisely because we stand at a watershed moment in history that Japan continues to have strong expectations for the United Nations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Japan will continue to take a leading role in strengthening the global health architecture and achieving universal health coverage in the post-COVID-19 era as we approach next year’s Group of Seven summit, which I will preside over. Japan is also contributing steadily to the creation of a world where people can enjoy a high-quality life in a safe environment. Our emergency assistance and support to strengthen the resilience of food systems in order to ensure food security, as well as our role in the development of international standards and norms in the field of information and telecommunications through the efforts at the International Telecommunication Union and other organizations, are just a few examples.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Japan will also focus on human-resource development and capacity-building in other parts of the world. Based on my conviction that education is the foundation of peace, I will serve as an education champion and promote cooperation through human- resource development based on the outcome of the United Nations Transforming Education Summit. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has also illustrated the importance of human health and efforts to protect people from disease. Japan has provided a total of approximately $5 billion to support the COVID-19 response, including vaccine-related assistance through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility and other programmes. Japan has also decided to contribute $1.08 billion to the Global Fund over the next three years.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Despite its own economic difficulties, Adjumani district continues to provide administrative services as well as support to refugees, and Mr. Fred is working hard to build a cohesive community free of ethnicity- or nationality-based tensions. With an unsteady international order and amid growing anxiety, Japan will work with the United Nations in order to realize human security in the new era, including on initiatives through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. In addition, Japan will also continue to invest generously in people. At the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in August, I announced the investment of $30 billion in Africa as the sum of public and private financial contributions over the next three years, with an emphasis on investment in people.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The Sustainable Development Goals aim for a society in which no one is left behind, and their achievement requires the realization of human security in the new area. In doing so, the key is to enhance the resilience of individuals, societies and nations to cope with the changes and challenges specific to our times. Adjumani district, in Uganda, is facing difficult and complicated issues, such as the increasing influx of refugees from neighbouring countries and rising costs due to the situation in Ukraine, which is just one example of the difficult and complex challenges that the world is facing today. Moini Fred, an administrator from Adjumani, learned through the Japan International Cooperation Agency training how to incorporate the views of both refugees and his compatriots in running his district.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“By listening not only to the big voices but also the small voices, we intend to take action to strengthen the rule of law in the international community. Japan will strengthen efforts based on the concept of human security in the new era. People deserve to enjoy a high-quality life, free from anxiety and fear. The concept of human security has not changed, but now we are standing at a historical watershed moment and facing a new challenge. Today, in addition to global pandemics, we see the use of force and coercion against other countries, food and energy insecurity, inflation and climate change. These are all interconnected and threaten the safety of people now more than ever, further exacerbating poverty and disease.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The following basic principles for States emerge from that Declaration: first, to break away from rule by force and pursue the rule of law through observing international law in good faith; secondly, to not allow any attempts to change the status quo of territories or areas by force or coercion; and thirdly, to cooperate with one another in addressing serious violations of the principles of the United Nations Charter. We are convinced that those basic principles serve as the basis to hold an increasingly divided international community together while ensuring respect for human rights and achieving sustainable development. Starting in January, Japan will serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In 1970, overcoming serious divisions among Member States at the time and with persistent dialogue, the General Assembly adopted resolution 2625 (XXV), entitled “The Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States”, also known as the friendly relations declaration. That Declaration, the fruit of our predecessors’ wisdom, serves as a foundation from which the basic principles for the promotion of the rule of law are drawn.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The rule of law is not reserved for one particular State or region. We need to remind ourselves that the rule of law is especially important for vulnerable nations. Strengthening the rule of law based on international law will, in the long run, benefit all States and lead to the sustainable growth and sound development of the international community. On the basis of that conviction, Japan has been playing an active role in various fields in cooperation with other countries, including efforts towards the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Japan first participated in a full-scale peacekeeping mission in Cambodia in 1992. Thirty years later, many Cambodian personnel wearing blue helmets are protecting the peace and future of places such as Mali, the Central African Republic and Lebanon. Then Lieutenant Colonel Teav Chanrithy was one of many deployed to Lebanon after Japan’s peacekeeping training. Since then, he has been active as a peacebuilder, mentoring younger generations at the peacekeeping operations training centre for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. The torch of peace created through Japan’s contributions to peacekeeping operations will be borne beyond generations and across borders. Japan supports it. Japan is fully committed to the realization of a United Nations that promotes the rule of law in the international community.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“This is the twentieth year since the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Koizumi and Chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong II. Japan’s policy remains unchanged. Japan seeks to normalize its relationship with North Korea, in accordance with the Japan-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Pyongyang Declaration, through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions and the nuclear and missile issues, as well as putting the unfortunate past behind us. Japan is prepared to engage in dialogue on matters of mutual concern. I am determined to meet with President Kim Jong Un, without any conditions, and will seize any opportunity and give my all to take diligent action in that regard. Japan has also made long-term contributions in the field of peacebuilding.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“That caused me great dismay, just as it did for the overwhelming majority of the Member States. However, I refuse to relent, because we are only one country away from adopting the draft final outcome document by consensus. I believe that document represents a new foundation for the international community to proceed with realistic engagements on nuclear disarmament in future. As the only nation to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan has a unique historical role, and we renew our resolve to realize a world without nuclear weapons. We will continue to make pragmatic efforts to achieve that goal. We must ensure that Nagasaki remains the last place to suffer an atomic bombing.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Japan will also continue to support the Secretary-General as he oversees the activities of this Organization. Even threatening to use nuclear weapons, as Russia has done, not to mention actually using them, is a serious threat to the peace and security of the international community and is absolutely unacceptable. As a Prime Minister from Hiroshima, I am immensely dedicated to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons, driven by the sentiments from the hibakusha, the victims of the use of nuclear weapons. Last month, the sole opposition by Russia blocked the unity and concerted efforts of the international community to reach consensus on an outcome document that would maintain and strengthen the non-proliferation regime, which is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Faced with the crisis of the international order caused by Russia’s aggression, the General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia in the strongest terms with an overwhelming majority (resolution ES- 11/1). At that time, the United Nations was a beacon in the dark night, clearly indicating the direction in which the international community should go. The General Assembly proved to be the sole universal organ that represents all Member States, pointing us in the direction of the international community’s just cause. Japan is determined not only to reform the Security Council, but also to work earnestly to further revitalize the General Assembly and to push the United Nations so it can pursue an even greater role in the maintenance of peace and security.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We have debated that issue for 30 years. But what is truly needed now is not a discussion for the sake of discussion, but actions towards reform. Even among the permanent member States of the Security Council, there are some countries that have shown a willingness to embrace reform. But there can be no reform without negotiation. The various positions cannot be compromised or converge without any negotiation. The time has come to start text-based negotiations in order to reform the Security Council. The Summit of the Future, in 2024, is an excellent opportunity to broadly review the nature of the United Nations. By all means, let us gather a wide range of wisdom, including from experts, and build momentum.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“First, we must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, in order to return to the vision and principles of the United Nations Charter, with the strengthening of the Organization’s functions, including with regard to disarmament and non-proliferation. Secondly, we must bring about a United Nations that promotes the rule of law in the international community. Thirdly, we must promote efforts based on the concept of human security in the new era. We must face the fact that the credibility of the United Nations is at stake due to the aggression against Ukraine by Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council. We, the States Members of the United Nations, must act to restore this Organization’s credibility. There are frequent discussions about the dysfunctionality of the Security Council.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Now is the time to return to the vision and principles of the Charter and to mobilize our strength and wisdom in order to ensure an international order that is based on the rule of law. To that end, we must reform the United Nations and strengthen its functions. The late Secretary-General Hammarskjold, who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to mediate a ceasefire during the Congo crisis, said that “[i]t is our responsibility to remedy any flaws there may be” in the institutions of the United Nations.” In order to realize the world to which the Charter aspires, we must tackle head-on the strengthening of the functions of our Organization. In order to demonstrate Japan’s strong commitment to the United Nations and to multilateralism, I would hereby like to outline Japan’s commitment to realizing our Organization’s vision.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The United Nations has played a central role in the development of such an international order. However, today we see its foundations being gravely shaken. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an act that tramples on the vision and principles of the Charter. It is crucial for all countries to be under the rule of law, not the rule of force. We absolutely cannot allow that. The United Nations does not exist solely for the benefit of the great Powers. It exists for the entire international community, founded on the principle of the sovereign equality of all Member States. It exists to fulfil the claims of not just the powerful and loud States but also of the voices that often go unheard but are equally legitimate. And it is especially relevant at a time when the existing international order is being tested around the world.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We stand at a historic watershed moment. Seventy-seven years have passed since the establishment of the United Nations, yet we are still witnessing devastation in Ukraine and around the world. What would the founders of the United Nations, who were determined not to repeat the scourge of the world wars, think if they saw the challenges to the international order that we are facing? We have all gathered here at the General Assembly because we stand with the fundamental vision and principles of the Charter of the United Nations — to realize an international community in which Member States unite to maintain peace and security and all people can enjoy economic and social development. Is that not what we are aiming for? It is imperative to maintain an international order in which the rule of law is firmly established.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)