YouSaid · the spoken record

Okamura

lines on the record: 238
first: 2014-09-08
most recent: 2017-03-09
sittings or episodes: 43
sources: un-security-council

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

“As we approach the half-year mark of Afghanistan's Transformation Decade, we see signs of both. The National Unity Government is near completion and is strengthening economic and political ties with regional and international partners. On the other hand, economic growth remains weak. We are also witnessing an alarming uptick in violence, which has claimed the lives of a record number of civilians. A strong and inclusive political leadership is needed to overcome these security challenges and pave the way for economic sustainability. In the light of that situation, we are concerned that electoral reform has not yet commenced. Furthermore, it is disconcerting that the schedule of parliamentary elections, which were to take place before 21 May, according to the Afghan Constitution, has yet to be decided on.”
2015-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7467 (2015) · source
“Allow me to express my gratitude to Malaysia for convening this important meeting. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, for his comprehensive briefing. We are grateful to him and his dedicated team for the laudable work they carry out under difficult circumstances. I would also like to thank Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan for his statement. We strongly condemn the attack on the Afghan Parliament this morning. We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and express our heartfelt sympathies to the Victims of that crime and their families. When tens of millions of Afghan men and women took to the polls last year, we knew that Afghanistan's path to self-reliance would present vast opportunities and important challenges.”
2015-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7467 (2015) · source
“I reiterate the necessity of also providing support to the victims for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. By doing so, they can return as fully committed members of society.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“With that aim in mind, in the past fiscal year Japan provided a total of $23 million in contributions for programmes to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers. Such programmes have been implemented in countries such as the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. For instance, in South Sudan, we supported efforts to reunite approximately 1,000 children with their families. That project also provided them with psychological care. In addition, medical care and counselling are being provided to women and children who have experienced sexual abuse. We should not leave anyone behind - especially the children. When we are dealing with crimes that have been committed against children, preventing and rescuing children from such crimes is not sufficient.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“Lastly, the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims deserves as much attention as the prevention of abduction and recruitment, as mentioned in the Secretary-General's current annual report (S/2015/409). The victims of child abduction and recruitment have been deprived of love and affection and remain aloof from a normal social life. In the worst cases, those children become fiends and deviants or mindless monsters, brainwashed and knowing nothing other than how to use a Kalashnikov. Those children may have no families or homes to return to. Even if they do make it back, they may not be accepted or may be unable to readapt to society. They have lost the opportunity to become members of society. Bringing such children back to a normal life should be an essential part of their rehabilitation process.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“The "Children, Not Soldiers" campaign further promotes the provisions set out in the resolution. Japan has repeatedly expressed its support to the campaign. The achievements made so far via the campaign are to be commended, including the delisting of Chad and the release of 400 child soldiers in Myanmar. In that context, Japan has provided support for child soldier victims through UNICEF. It is important to note that the goal of the campaign is to prevent and end the recruitment and use of children by national security forces by 2016. In order to achieve that ambitious goal, further enhancements and commitments are required. Japan will continue to look into furthering its contributions to support the campaign.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“It is essential, however, that the relevant parties implement resolution 2225 (2015) through action plans and other mechanisms. Moreover, Japan would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by all stakeholders in drafting the Lucens Guidelines. We welcome the fact that the international community's recognition of the issue of protecting schools and education is expanding. Japan will continue keeping an eye on the development ofthe discussion on the issue. Secondly, Japan is commemorating the tenth anniversary ofresolution 1612 (2005). Japan took in the adoption of the resolution as a member of the Council at the time. The resolution marked an important milestone, by establishing a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the recruitment and use of child soldiers.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“There were 153 Kurdish boys and 412 Yazidi children abducted by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in Syria and Iraq. According to the Watch List on Children and Armed Conflict, at least 24,422 children were kidnapped between 2002 and 2013, of which 95.8 per cent were taken by non-State armed groups. The international community, especially the Security Council, should take all the measures necessary to alleviate such cruel and inhumane actions by organizations like Boko Haram and ISIL. In that regard, we support and have sponsored the new resolution 2225 (2015), which was just adopted today. The addition of abductions as a trigger for the inclusion of parties in the annexes of the Secretary-General's annual report will make a difference.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your leadership, Mr. President, in convening today's open debate. Let me also thank His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General; Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; Ms. Yoka Brandt, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF; and Ms. Eunice Apio, of Facilitation for Peace and Development, for their briefings. Today, I would like to focus on three issues: the abduction of children, child soldiers and the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims. First, with regard, abduction, I would like to draw the Security Council's attention to the disturbing, increasing trend of mass abductions of children. Last year, it was reported that 276 schoolgirls had been kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“At the time of the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1738 (2006), the safety ofjournalists in areas under the control of brutal non-State actors and terrorist groups such as ISIL was not on the list of agenda items. Now, it is time to address this significant issue, which cannot be overlooked. The Security Council must take decisive measures to tackle the issue of serious crimes committed by non-State actors and extremist groups and never allow any impunity for such perpetrators. International society must fight against acts of terror so that the foundational values of contemporary democracy, including freedom of expression and freedom of the press, shall not be shaken. Japan has committed itself to engaging in that endeavour of great importance.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Japan recognizes the significant role of the reports of the Secretary-General on both peacekeeping operations and the protection of civilians, which would include information on the situation regarding journalists' safety. In February, the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, made a statement in which he resolutely condemned those impermissible and outrageous acts of terrorism. Japan will never give in to terrorism. Mr. Abe has pledged assistance totalling some $200 million for those countries contending with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), to help build human capacity, infrastructure, et cetera. Japan will steadfastly fulfil its responsibility in the international community in combating terrorism.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“The protection of civilians in armed conflict is included in the mandates of 10 ongoing peacekeeping operations. Journalists are civilians; therefore, it is the duty of United Nations peacekeepers to protect journalists under their mandates. We should go a little further. As the concept note for this open debate (S/20lS/307, annex) suggests, we should recall that journalists are subject to protection under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocol I, in order to ensure their security. Identifying journalists as a special category in the text of resolutions would increase awareness and eventually save more journalists' lives.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“The perpetrator commonly known as Jihadi John murdered Mr. Kenji Goto, Mr. James Foley, Mr. David Haines and many others. He, together with other perpetrators, continues to walk freely under blue skies. Japan strongly condemns those despicable acts of terror. We must hold the perpetrators responsible for their deplorable acts and bring them to justice. The reality, however, is grim. Less than 5 per cent of well-known perpetrators have actually been apprehended and prosecuted in the past 10 years, despite continuing reaffirmations in numerous United Nations resolutions of our determination to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators. In the light of that circumstance, Japan appreciates the decision of the Security Council to adopt a new resolution on the matter (resolution 2222 (20lS)). But we should not stop there.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. Linas Antanas Linkevicius for his initiative in organizing this open debate. I would also like to thank Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Christophe Deloire, Director-General of Reporters Without Borders, and Ms. Mariane Pearl for their respective briefings. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 27 journalists have been killed so far this year, including Japanese journalist Kenji Goto. Attacks against journalists are not just attacks against individual persons, but also affronts to the ideals of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, which are the foundations of democracy. Japan is absolutely set against such acts of depravity and is determined to work together with international society to prevent further tragedies.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Finally, I would like to underline the importance of implementing on the ground the decisions taken here in New York. We must strengthen efforts in the field. In that regard, the role and capacity-building of peacekeeping operations is essential. Japan has been providing support to countries affected by the diversion of small arms and light weapons through concrete programmes, such as its support for the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana. Japan also provided financial support for the collection of small arms and light weapons and a capacity-building programme in Cote d'Ivoire. We hope other countries will follow suit. In conclusion, let me reiterate that Japan has led international efforts on small arms and light weapons and is determined to continue doing so.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Unfortunately, however, the collapse of the Al-Qadhafi regime in Libya in 2011 resulted in a tremendous outflow - we can even call it a tsunami - of small arms and light weapons from Libya to countries in the Sahel region, including Mali, and worsened the conflict there. Affected by that tsunami from Libya, Mali experienced a large-scale conflict that risked dividing the whole nation. That situation was also noted this morning in the briefing by Mr. Diakite. We recognize the difficulty of controlling national borders in areas such as the Sahel. Nevertheless, the tragic experience of Mali shows the importance of carefully monitoring the flow of small arms and light weapons and of regulating the international trade in such weapons.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“If the ethnic conflict in Kosovo did not produce repercussions on neighbouring countries at that time, it is because of the efforts made by UNMIK and KFOR to prevent the flow of small arms and light weapons from Kosovo. Mali is another example. After the bloody civil war ended there in the late 19905 and early 2000s, the Government of Mali was very focused on the issue of small arms and light weapons and cooperated with the United Nations Development Programme on the collection and destruction of such weapons. Those efforts minimized the risk of the escalation of local conflicts at that time.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Small arms were sold in one post-conflict area and flowed into the next. There ensued a sequence of conflicts on the peninsula, from Slovenia to Croatia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina and, finally, to Kosovo. The transfer of small arms and light weapons turned existing ethnic conflicts into armed and bloody ones, inflaming feelings of hatred and vengeance among people. I was appointed chief political officer of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 1999. Under the leadership of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernard Kouchner, UNMIK cooperated with the NATO-led International Security Force in Kosovo (KFOR) in the collection, and above all, the border control of small arms and light weapons.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“We have submitted a working paper and are determined to contribute to the success of the second Meeting, in support of Ambassador Vlad Lupan, its Chair-designate. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of preventing the illegal transfer or diversion of small arms and light weapons. We have been making great efforts with respect to tracing and collecting such weapons. I am sure those efforts are our priority. However, at the same time, preventing small arms and light weapons from crossing national borders and stopping the flow of such weapons is even more important. I would like to give some examples that demonstrate why. In the 1990s, the world witnessed one ethnic conflict after another on the Balkan Peninsula. The flow of small arms and light weapons in the background was massive.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“After 20 years, we have witnessed the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, whose scope includes small arms and light weapons. We congratulate all those who worked towards that achievement and we commend the continuous efforts of the Office for Disarmament Affairs to reach that goal. Japan will continue its steady efforts. Japan submitted a working paper at the fifth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. Next month, the second Meeting of Governmental Experts of the Programme of Action will provide us with an important opportunity to implement recommendations made at the fifth Biennial Meeting, as well as to further efforts on small arms and light weapons at the United Nations.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this open debate on small arms and light weapons. Iwelcome the Secretary- General's report (S/2015/289). I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and Mr. Karamoko Diakite, President of the Cote d'Ivoire chapter of the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms, for their briefings. Japan has been the lead country working on small arms and light weapons since the 19905. As is widely known, Japan has been submitting draft resolutions on small arms and light weapons to the First Committee almost every year since 1995; every year since 2000, they have been adopted by consensus.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Japan is determined to continue to work closely with its partners in the international community towards creating stable and energetic societies all over the world and giving hope to young people.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“In essence, we hope to put into practice the Arab proverb that states, "the best way is to go in the middle". Under this policy, Japan is realizing various projects such as connecting youth with employment opportunities, correcting inequalities and supporting educational exchanges and exchanges of people. Prime Minister Shinto Abe, on the occasion of his visit to Africa in January last year, stated, "If we can reveal a bright future to young people, the future of Africa will without a doubt also become bright". Here we could replace the word "Africa" with "the world". We have to reveal a bright future to all young people in order to make the future of the world bright.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“They are all expected to become brilliant leaders in business and to further strengthen the close relationship between Japan and Africa. Another project launched at TICAD V was the establishment of human-resource development centres for business and industry at 10 locations, to serve 25 countries in Africa. These centres, along with other support programmes, are intended to build the capacity of some 30,000 young people. As for the issue of Violent extremism, I share the concern at the fact that the number of victims of violent extremism around the world is growing. Japan is not an exception. At the beginning of this year, two Japanese citizens were murdered in Syria. Immediately thereafter, Japan announced a policy of assistance to create societies resilient to radicalization.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“A good example of that approach is our efforts conducted through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, under which we have supported capacity-building for young Africans, and which I oversaw as Director-General for African Affairs at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The most recent TICAD conference, TICAD V, held in 2013, saw the launch of several youth projects in that area. The projects include the African Business Education Initiative for Youth, which aims to invite 1,000 African youth participants to Japan over a period of five years to help them develop effective skills and knowledge in various fields. The objective is to contribute to the development of industry throughout Africa. We have already received 155 participants from Africa in Japan.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“That lesson is all the more true today, when we are seeing so many young people being taken in by radical terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. We must take a close look at the frustrations and anger that young people are dealing with as a result of economic difficulties and social repression. We must turn their energy and passion into constructive actions, not destructive ones. From that perspective, Japan considers the position of young people in the economic and social spheres to be directly connected to the issue of peace and stability. We have been working diligently to empower young people in order to engage them in development, economic growth and the promotion of business.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“Young people can be exploited by political Powers and even support those who wish to disrupt society. About four years ago, when Cote d'Ivoire was in the midst of a political crisis after the presidential elections of 2010, I was there as Japan's Ambassador. A man named Charles Ble Goude encouraged young people to support the-then incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo. He manipulated various youth groups, whose demonstrations created fear among the people. They called for withdrawal of the United Nations presence and even attacked United Nations personnel and vehicles. Against such a backdrop, it is clear that we must try as hard as possible to direct young people's transformative and potentially explosive power towards peace, freedom and democracy rather than war and conflict.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II for his initiative in organizing this open debate. Its focus on the role of young people in countering violent extremism and promoting peace is timely and important. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his briefing. When young people move, society changes. Their power is the driving force that pushes the world forward. That power can promote peace, freedom and democracy. Look at what happened in Tunisia. It was the country's youth who overturned the regime, bringing about a movement that has changed the whole face of the Middle East. But at the same time, youthful power can also lead the world to war and conflict.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“Japan therefore believes that there will be a real gap in our commitments to deal with the problem of children associated with armed groups, if abduction is excluded from the list of triggers. Abductions are part of the criteria that should be listed in the annex to the relevant reports of the Secretary- General, and we believe that we must take steps to fill that gap.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“For example, the United Nations could try to convince non-State actors with which it is already in contact to negotiate peace agreements, among other things, that would provide that they renounce the practice of recruiting children into their ranks. It could also mediate between the non-State opposing forces to arrange for a simultaneous release of their child soldiers. As mentioned in the concept note (S/2015/168, annex) prepared for this debate, non-State armed extremist groups increasingly employ child abduction as a strategy. We are deeply concerned by the massive abductions of children by groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL. The abduction of children is the first act of violence against them. It can open the door to forced recruitment and other barbaric acts, such as sexual violence and murder.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“Japan has thus funded $80 million worth of various projects for the rehabilitation of child soldiers over the past six years. Today, we are paying special attention to an important question: how can we apply the knowledge acquired through that campaign to non-State armed groups? Indeed, ofthe 59 groups listed in the annexes to the 2014 report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/339), 51 are non-State actors. It would, of course, be difficult to immediately conclude plans of action between the United Nations and non-State armed groups. However, I believe it is possible to advance step by step in that direction.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“However, that progress is far from sufficient. It should be noted that, under the strategy to end the recruitment and use of children by national security forces, which was drawn up by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNICEF, a total of $32.8 million over two years will be required for the implementation of the action plan to bring the number of child soldiers in the armed forces of the countries concerned to zero by the end of 2016. In that regard, Japan supports several projects in the Middle East and Africa, in partnership with UNICEF, to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers. That helps to prevent those children from once again becoming combatants as a result of economic difficulties, inter alia.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“In that respect, I would like to congratulate France for having organized this timely and relevant debate on the child victims of non-State armed groups. We believe that the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, adopted in 2007, should be considered an important tool for Member States and international organizations. Japan welcomes the fact that the "Children, Not Soldiers" campaign, which was launched on 6 March 2014 by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, and UNICEF, has achieved clear results in one year. Chad has been removed the list of problem countries, leaving only seven countries on that list. In Myanmar, approximately 400 child soldiers have been released, and Yemen has signed an action plan.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“Mr. Okamura (Japan) (spoke in French): Allow me, first of all, to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and the other speakers for their briefings. The problems of children today will become the problems of adults in 10 years. Not only do armed conflicts deprive children of an opportunity to grow in a balanced manner, with access to education, but they also create a new generation of adults who will have known nothing but war and who will not know how to live in a world without conflict. It is therefore our duty to seriously engage with the issue of children and armed conflict to prevent future wars. The issue has become even more pressing with the staggering rise of armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“The human and financial resources that the United Nations can invest in peacekeeping missions are limited. It is imperative that we reduce the size of missions when concrete progress is being made by them, as the need to create new missions and reinforce others is real. The success of a peacekeeping mission means that it has created an environment in which it is no longer needed. In conclusion, I would like to say that Japan counts on the continuous and strong leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honore, so that MINUSTAH can achieve success in the context Ijust mentioned, by accomplishing its mandate, which includes assistance with the upcoming elections.”
2015-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7408 (2015) · source
“Examples include the establishment of the new provisional Electoral Council in January, the promulgation of the electoral decree by the President of Haiti on 2 March and the announcement of election dates on 11 March. Japan strongly hopes that the elections will take place in a just and transparent manner. Mr. Bertoax took the Chair. From that point of View, the Government of Japan signed a document with the United Nations Development Programme on 11 March to provide approximately $4.5 million to assist in the smooth holding of elections. We also expect this effort to contribute to nation-building, which includes supporting democracy, respect for the rule of law and stable peace. We welcome resolution 2180 (2014), adopted last October, which provides for the drawdown of MINUSTAH's forces and a reduction in police component levels.”
2015-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7408 (2015) · source
“We recognize that developments in the political process, which include the holding of long-overdue elections, the increase in the capacity of the Haitian National Police, the 50 per cent reduction in new cases of cholera last year and so forth, are the result of efforts by the Haitian authorities, its people and the international community, including, of course, MINUSTAH. Japan is proud to see those improvements in Haiti since it dispatched approximately 2,200 Self-Defense Forces personnel to the country. With respect to political developments in Haiti, Japan highly appreciates the concrete progress that has been made so far.”
2015-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7408 (2015) · source
“Mr. Okamura (Japan) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate. I would also like to express my appreciation and thanks to Ms. Sandra Honore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her very important briefing. I would like to thank the personnel of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for their commitment and their work in very difficult circumstances. (spoke in English) We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on MINUSTAH issued on 4 March (S/2015/157). Although various challenges persist, we are very pleased to see progress and positive signs in the stabilization and recovery process in Haiti.”
2015-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7408 (2015) · source
“Japan, along with the international community, stands ready to accompany Afghanistan on its path towards reform and self-reliance.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“Furthermore, through initiatives such as the Promotion and Enhancement of the Afghan Capacity for Effective Development, Japan is helping train Afghan officials who will lead the country's economic development through and beyond the transformation decade. It is said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. We are confident that the millions of Afghans who made their historic voices heard last September will, along with the Government of national unity, cement the foundations for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. As testimony to Japan's solidarity with Afghanistan, the Japanese Government has decided to disburse an additional $242 million before the end of this month. We hope that this will reinforce Afghanistan's first steps into the decade of transformation.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“This affects not only Government revenues but also the welfare of ordinary Afghan citizens. Hence it is all the more crucial for Afghanistan to achieve a strong, endogenous and sustainable economy. The development of infrastructure and human resources would underpin this objective. Strengthening the agricultural sector is also important owing to its large potential for job creation. To that end, Japan has provided assistance to reinforce Afghanistan's infrastructure and facilitate its integration into the global economy. This includes, inter alia, our assistance for the rehabilitation and expansion of Kabul International Airport, the reinforcement of land routes with neighbouring countries, and the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in rural areas.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“In the light of the importance of maintaining security, we hope that Afghanistan and international donors will be able to agree on a form of management for the Fund that is reliable and acceptable to all parties involved, via constructive dialogue. Secondly, political reconciliation is crucial for Afghanistan's long-term stability. In that light, Japan values the Afghan Government's efforts in leading the Afghan-led process towards peace, reintegration and reconciliation. Japan also welcomes Afghanistan's increased cooperation with regional partners, which is conducive to peace. Japan, for its part, will continue to support the reintegration of ex-combatants by providing vocational training and promoting job creation in such key sectors as agriculture. Thirdly, we note with concern the recent economic slowdown.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“First, we believe that strengthening governance and institution-building will be fundamental to achieving self-reliance. A critical component of this is the strengthening of Afghanistan's own security forces. With the conclusion of the International Security Assistance Force, the Afghan Government is now called upon to take full responsibility for security and public order. We are therefore concerned at the recent increase in terrorism and civilian casualties. To this effect, Japan will continue to help reinforce Afghanistan's law-enforcement capacity. Our assistance in this area will be carried out principally through the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan, to which Japan has hitherto contributed more than $1 billion.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“We look to the national unity Government, under the guidance of, and with cooperation between, President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, to successfully implement its ambitious reform programme. It is regrettable, however, that a full cabinet has yet to be formed six months after an agreement was reached. We reiterate our call on the new leadership to form an inclusive national unity Government that can tackle the challenges that the country faces. In this regard, I would like to touch upon three points of particular importance as Afghanistan embarks on its transformation decade, namely, first, strengthening governance and institution-building; secondly, advancing political reconciliation; and, thirdly and lastly, laying the foundation for sustainable economic development.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“We welcome the strong determination and capacity that the Government and the people of Afghanistan have shown in addressing the important challenges that the country faces. Afghanistan, nevertheless, does not stand alone. The Tokyo and London Conferences have reiterated that the international community stands ready to continue its support for Afghanistan, under the concept of mutual accountability. The extension of UNAMA's mandate is testimony to the international community's commitment to Afghanistan. Japan expects that UNAMA, as an embodiment of the international community's engagement with Afghanistan, will continue to play an important role in supporting the Afghan-led political process and the country's socioeconomic development. The first democratic transition of power marked a watershed in Afghanistan's pursuit of self-reliance.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“Mr. Okamura (Japan) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to France for having convened today's important meeting. (spoke in English) I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, for his detailed briefing and Ambassador Tanin for his remarks. Furthermore, I would like to join other Member States in welcoming today's adoption of resolution 2210 (2015), which renews the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Ambassador Oyarzun Marchesi and the Permanent Mission of Spain for their leadership in the renewal process. This year Afghanistan will embark on its path towards self-reliance through the transformation decade.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“For example, Japan's technical cooperation in Kenya and Tanzania helps to promote the role of women in agriculture and to realize gender equality in farm management. Such assistance further leads to the empowerment of women and enhanced social inclusivity. Japan is determined to continue its active role in promoting peace and an inclusive society through the activities of the PBC as well as through bilateral assistance. We hope that the Security Council will continue discussions on inclusive peacebuilding and development to further strengthen its role in maintaining international peace and security as well as to improve its complementary relationship with the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source
“My second point concerns inclusive development, which is an essential part of human security and should also be one of the key principles of the post- 2015 development agenda to be adopted in September. Japan has provided post-conflict countries with seamless assistance for the consolidation of peace. In Africa, for more than 20 years, Japan has actively supported African countries' own efforts to consolidate peace and advance development, through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development process. Through this process, Japan has not only implemented its assistance with a deep understanding of the interrelationship between peacebuilding and development, but has also promoted an inclusive society, particularly by assisting women and young people.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source
“Furthermore, the report notes that as an advisory body to the Security Council, the PBC has a crucial role in preventing the relapse of conflicts. At the time of transition of United Nations missions, the PBC can support the Council's efforts by advising it on the holistic peacebuilding progress on the ground. It can also draw the Council's attention to possible risks of relapses when any symptom of reversion, including serious situations of exclusion, is presented after the withdrawal of United Nations missions. In this regard, we would like to call on the Council to work with the PBC to further improve the Council's early warning and conflict prevention functions.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source
“Last year in the PBC's Working Group on Lessons Learned, which Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan, has the honour to Chair, we had extensive discussions on the issue of transitions of United Nations missions. In his final report, the Chair pointed out that a major challenge faced by post-conflict countries is sustaining inclusive political processes. The withdrawal of United Nations missions invariably results in the limited capacity of the United Nations to support inclusive political processes on the ground. The report emphasized that the PBC should play a role by offering a political platform to help sustain international attention and engagement with countries experiencing transitions.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source