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Okamura

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238

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2014-09-08

most recent

2017-03-09

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43

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un-security-council

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1. “Japan has given considerable attention to this topic. Since 2013 my Mission has jointly organized seminars on "inclusivity in rebuilding States with the Missions of Tanzania and Slovakia. In building upon these initiatives, I should like to discuss two points in today's open debate. First, on political inclusivity, Japan has actively contributed to the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) since its inception in 2005. The PBC was established to address the so-called gaping hole in the United Nations system, where there had been no institution to effectively help countries with the transition from war to lasting peace.”

   2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source

2. “I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for Chile's initiative in convening today's open debate on this important topic. I am also grateful to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. According to the World Development Report 2011, published by the World Bank, 90 per cent of conflicts initiated in the 2000s were relapses of previous civil wars. As many researchers point out, the recurrences of conflict are attributed in part to failures to promote peacebuilding in an inclusive manner. In light of the maintenance of international peace and security, inclusivity is an extremely important factor in peacebuilding processes. Therefore today's meeting is very appropriate and timely.”

   2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source

3. “Japan welcomes the fact that most of the participants, Afghan and international partners alike, reaffirmed their commitments to the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework. Since 2012, Japan, as the second-largest contributor of aid to Afghanistan, has already disbursed more than $2 billion of the $3 billion it committed to. In the understanding that the new Afghan Government will deliver on the commitments it made under the Framework, we will make good on ours. As Afghanistan makes the crucial transition to peace and prosperity, Japan remains committed to offering its support, in cooperation with the international community.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

4. “We have been helping to construct or improve roads, such as that between Kabul and Kandahar, as well as airports, including Kabul International Airport and the airport in Bamyan. The new Government's emphasis on improving connectivity between Afghanistan and its surroundings is further testimony to the relevance of our approach. We hope Japan's support will significantly contribute to reinvigorating local communities and reintegrating Afghanistan into the regional and global economies. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of a strong partnership between Afghanistan and the international community. The London Conference on Afghanistan offered a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the solid bond that unites us.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

5. “The presence of empowered Afghan farmers will provide a solid foundation for strong and resilient local communities, which is what Japan is aiming for. Since rice production has great potential for the Afghan economy, our assistance projects include research and development on rice cultivation and improving irrigation facilities. Japan has recently also made contributions in the area of veterinary medicine by providing $19 million through the Food and Agriculture Organization to help control foot-and-mouth disease. Furthermore, I would like to point out that developing basic infrastructure is also an essential component in sustainable development. Infrastructure connects people and enables trade and investment to expand.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

6. “We have also implemented numerous capacity-building programmes, providing, for instance, financial and technical assistance to a four-month training programme for about 200 female Afghan police officers that has been under way in Turkey since last month. My second point concerns sustainable development. We believe that poverty reduction and sustainable growth are essential to people's empowerment. A sound and prosperous economy helps address the root causes of terrorism and extremism. In that context, we would like to underscore the strategic importance of agriculture from the perspective of human security. Approximately 80 per cent ofAfghanistan's total population is engaged in agricultural work, a sector that has the biggest potential for job creation in the country.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

7. “The first concerns public order and security. From my own experiences in post-conflict countries, I know how crucial law and order are to reconstructing local communities, where local people must assume the primary responsibility for their own communities. It is therefore essential that the Afghan people become empowered and capable of ensuring public order and security. That is why Japan has been supporting the strengthening of Afghan law-enforcement capabilities. Through our contribution to the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan of the United Nations Development Programme, amounting to a total of $1 billion, we helped to double the number of Afghan police officers between 2008 and 2012.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

8. “Japan therefore considers their ownership and efforts to help themselves very important. The transformation decade of 2015 through 2024 presents Afghanistan with a historical opportunity for determining its own self-reliant future. Japan stands ready to support the Afghan people as long as they work in earnest for a better future. We also emphasize the perspective of human security in focusing on each individual's fulfilment and empowerment. We believe that ordinary Afghan citizens aspire to a peaceful and prosperous life close to their families and friends. That aspiration is what provides the driving force for peace and stability, and it is from those perspectives that Japan has been actively engaged in the country's reconstruction process. I would like to touch on two points that are priorities for Japanese assistance.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

9. “Yuri Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for his briefing, and Ambassador Zahir Tanin for his statement. Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture. Under the leadership of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, the new Government must now begin to tackle numerous challenges. In the area of security, the drawdown at the end of this year of the International Security Assistance Force will mark a watershed in Afghanistan's road to self-reliance. The Afghan people have to realize that they must demonstrate ownership and take the lead in ensuring their own security, for which the Afghan national defence and security forces should now assume full responsibility. Afghanistan's future is in the hands of the Afghan people themselves.”

   2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

10. “To save time, I will give an abbreviated version of my statement, the full text of which will be circulated by the Secretariat. First, however, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, whom Japan warmly congratulates on his appointment as the new Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), together with his deputies, Mr. Mark Bowen and Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto. We look forward to seeing UNAMA continue to play an important role in providing international assistance to Afghanistan on its path towards self-reliance. I would also like to thank Mr.”

    2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source

11. “Japan will continue to work hand in hand with those two institutions to promote peace and prosperity in Africa on the basis of TICAD's principles of African ownership and international partnership.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

12. “In conclusion, I would like to underscore once again the importance of Africa's ownership in the field of peace and security. We expect Africa to continue to actively engage in not only resolving its conflicts but also in preventing them. As a proactive contributor to peace, Japan stands ready to support those African efforts. Our contributions are not limited to capacity-building: we will continue to provide development assistance to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. We are confident that our assistance helps address the root causes of conflicts. Those are key commitments that Prime Minister Abe made to African leaders at the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V). The African Union Commission and the United Nations are among the co-organizers of the TICAD process.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

13. “Japan, for its part, will continue to support African endeavours, in line with the pledges that Prime Minister Abe made at the summit meeting on United Nations peacekeeping operations held in New York on 26 September. For instance, we are currently working on a new assistance package to provide heavy engineering equipment and personnel training in Africa. Furthermore, Japan's assistance to peacekeeping- operation training centres in Africa contributes to the capacity-building of African personnel. As many as 13 peacekeeping operation centres have to date received a total of $36.6 million from Japan since 2008. Japan Self Defense Forces personnel have also been dispatched to manage programmes or hold conferences at those centres.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

14. “Last March, Japan donated $3 million to the Fund to support the African- led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic, and, later on, the African Union mission for the Central African Republic and Central Africa. My second point concerns the issue of the rapid deployment of peacekeeping operations. Japan appreciates African ownership in this area. Japan looks forward to the early operationalization of the African Stand-by Force (ASF). We hope that the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, which the AU unveiled last year, will serve in the interim to facilitate the rapid deployment of African forces. We would also like to commend the initiative taken by the United States to launch the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

15. “While the primary responsibility to secure financial resources lies with the African Union, the United Nations must continue to engage with the African Union so as to consider how to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of the financing of the AU operations mandated by the Security Council. In that context, we note that the Prodi Panel recommended the establishment of a multi-donor trust fund as a possible option. We are of the view, however, that this option needs to be carefully considered to see if such a fund would be operated under appropriate oversight, which should include a reliable audit system. Japan has been making its own financial contributions through the African Peace Fund, which now total approximately $12 million.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

16. “It is a great honour for me to be able to continue to work closely with him in his new capacity as Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations. Today's Security Council debate is particularly relevant and timely in terms of exploring ways to deepen the United Nations-AU partnership for peace, as the issue of partnerships is one of the areas on which the High-level Panel to Review Peacekeeping Operations will focus. I would like to touch upon two challenges to be addressed in this regard. My first point concerns the financing of AU peace operations.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

17. “African ownership and international partnership are the basic principles of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). These principles were reaffirmed in the Yokohama Declaration issued at TICAD V, which Japan hosted in June 2013 together with the AU Commission, the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. As Director-General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was directly in charge of the organization of TICAD V. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my personal gratitude to my African counterparts, in particular my Chadian colleagues, for their valuable cooperation in the successful holding of the conference. Among them was Ambassador Mahamat Zene Cherif, then Permanent Representative of Chad to the AU.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

18. “I witnessed on the ground how crucial African-led processes are in dealing with crises on the continent. When I served as Japan's Ambassador to the Republic of Cote d'lvoire, I closely observed the situation following the presidential elections in November 2010. As the Ivorians went through political turmoil, the AU and the Economic Community of West African States mediated between the parties concerned. Although that did not prevent military clashes from occurring in the ensuing months, active engagement by those African institutions helped to lay the necessary foundation for the political stability and reconstruction that have been brought about in the country since May 2011, under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

19. “Mr. Okamura (Japan) (spoke in French): At the outset, Mr. President, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your leadership in convening today's open debate. I would also like to thank Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his briefing. Let me begin my statement by underlining the importance of African ownership in resolving conflicts in Africa. The African people know themselves better than anyone else. Political mediation efforts and peace operations in Africa can best succeed when they are conducted in ways that are respectful of African cultures and traditions. Japan therefore highly commends Africa's ownership in the field of peace and security. The African Union (AU) has been taking the lead in these efforts. The roles played by various subregional communities are also noteworthy.”

    2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source

20. “Member States should take appropriate action to implement the measures set out in the resolution in order to respond effectively to threats, especially the issue of foreign terrorist fighters. Various measures are indispensible, including on border control, countering violent extremism and terrorist financing, and international cooperation. I hope that the members of the international community will reaffirm its determination to fight terrorism by sharing their wisdom and expertise with one another, so as to strengthen measures against international terrorism. I would like to conclude by reaffirming Japan's position in fighting resolutely against international terrorism. Japan, as a responsible Member ofthe United Nations, will play an active role in making every effort to fight terrorism hand in hand with the international community.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

21. “Japan believes such continuous efforts are key. It makes it easier for us to have more candid exchange of views and ideas. That makes it easier for us to come up with more effective and practical measures on counter-terrorism, building on past good practices. Furthermore, I would like to underline the fact that the East Asia Summit also released an independent statement last week that reiterates our commitment to work with the international community to fight extremism, radicalism and terrorism. With regard to resolution 2178 (2014), adopted in September, more than 100 Member States sponsored the resolution, including Japan, demonstrating the solidarity of the international community on this issue.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

22. “As a recent example, in September, Japan decided to extend $22 million in emergency grant aid to Iraq and Lebanon in order to provide emergency shelter and relief items for Iraqi internally displaced persons and Syrian refugees affected by the offensive of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It goes without saying that we are in close cooperation on counter-terrorism with States in Asia, especially the States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). That is reflected in the ASEAN-Japan joint declaration for cooperation to combat international terrorism and transnational crime, adopted last week in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Since Japan established the ASEAN-Japan Counter- Terrorism Dialogue in 2006, we have held annual dialogues - including the ninth meeting in May in Singapore.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

23. “As part ofthe assistance programmes announced at TICAD-V, Japan hosted a workshop last week on criminal justice cooperation for counter-terrorism among the Sahel States and States in North Africa. Several States in the region participated. We hope the meeting served to promote regional cooperation. Secondly, based on the idea that regional stability and social and economic development are effective in addressing the root causes in fighting terrorism, Japan has provided a wide range of assistance to several regions, in addition to what was announced at TICAD-V.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

24. “However, it is also important to address the so- called root causes. By achieving social and economic development we can bring hope to people in various regions and create a foundation that does not tolerate terrorism. Advancing social and economic development was the idea behind TICAD -V. At the conference, Prime Minister Abe announced $1 billion for the development and stability of the Sahel, as well as assistance for enhancing the capacity of the region to engage in counter-terrorism. Let me summarize briefly Japan's recent international undertakings in the field of counter- terrorism. First, we believe that regional cooperation is important to cope with the challenges more effectively and in a more practical manner.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

25. “We are shocked that Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in April. That is not a problem that Japan deems irrelevant. The hostage-taking in Amenas, Algeria, in January of last year was followed by the deaths of 10 Japanese people. I devoted myself to that issue in my previous position as Director-General for African Affairs at Japan's Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I also took up that issue as one of the major topics when we organized the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-V), in June last year. There is a shared view in the TICAD process that when people, especially the younger generation, are frustrated about extreme poverty and youth unemployment, terrorism expands. Needless to say, fighting terrorism on the front lines is important.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

26. “At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the President's leadership in convening today's open debate. I am also grateful to Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon and the Chairs of the Council's counter-terrorism- related committees for their respective comprehensive briefings. We are all concerned about the fact that terrorism has established an international network and has expanded worldwide. The threat of terrorism is different from that posed by ethnic or religious conflicts. The recent serious threats posed by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has clearly shown that. It is a serious thereat with global impact, and effective measures mandated by the United Nations are therefore necessary - not only in Iraq and Syria: we are now facing widely expanding threats in Africa.”

    2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source

27. “Last but not least, while improving working methods is important, it is not enough on its own to genuinely strengthen the legitimacy of the Security Council, which should reflect the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century. Next year we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. I would like to express my heartfelt wish to see reform of the Security Council that will make it more broadly representative, efficient and transparent and thereby further enhance its effectiveness, legitimacy and implementation of its decisions.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

28. “Regarding the Security Council's referrals to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), I would like to stress that Japan values the work of the Court, where cases involving the most serious crimes of concern to the international community in general are investigated, prosecuted and decided, thus helping to achieve justice for Victims and to uphold the rule of law. Japan contributes to the Court not only financially but also by sending qualifiedjudges. We are resolved to continue to cooperate with the Court to the maximum extent possible. Since the Security Council does not have a specific mechanism for following up cases it refers to the Prosecutor of the ICC, it should determine what measures should be taken through dialogues with the interested countries.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

29. “We Member States must continue to ensure the legitimacy and credibility of the sanctions if we are to gain wider support in the international community. Sanctions are directly linked to human rights issues, and it is essential that listing and delisting be conducted according to the principle of due process. In that context, Japan considers the activities of the Ombudsperson very important. We must be flexible and take the specifics of each ease into consideration if our sanctions are to work effectively and properly.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

30. “I reiterate Japan's commitment to playing an active role with other Member States in order to improve the Security Council's working methods. We must recognize that more efficient and transparent procedures are required of the Council when it makes its decisions in order that the Council in particular, and the United Nations as a whole, can meet Member States' expectations, and I urge for greater cooperation on the part of Council members, including the permanent members. I would now like to briefly touch on the two topics the President has suggested. I believe United Nations sanctions are an effective tool for establishing and maintaining peace and security, and Japan is firmly committed to full and effective implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

31. “All Member States, including non-Council members, are bound by its decisions. The way the Council conducts its work is a matter of critical importance, which has a direct impact on the interests of all Member States. That is the reason Japan attaches great importance to the efforts to improve its working methods. Some progress has been made so far, and I am proud that Japan is one of the leading contributors to the discussion of its working methods. I have two books with me. Japan, in its capacity as the Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, took the initiative of compiling presidential note S/2006/507, which is known as the Blue Book. Japan also took the lead, as Chair of the Working Group, to update it, and issued presidential note S/2010/507, which is known as the Green Book.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

32. “At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Madam President, for your initiative in holding this debate on the working methods of the Security Council. I would also like to express my appreciation for your excellent work in your capacity as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. The Working Group has recently produced the note by the President of the Security Council, document S/2014/739, concerning the speaking order for meetings of the Council. I believe that that concrete outcome will, coupled with previous notes by the President, enhance the efficiency and transparency of the work of the Council. We, the Member States, confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”

    2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source

33. “It is not recognized as a trigger in the annex of the Secretary-General's report, and is not subject to the monitoring and reporting mechanism. It is high time to think anew on this matter.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source

34. “Lastly, a main objective of United Nations peacekeeping operations is to protect civilians in conflict and post-conflict situations. Children are the most vulnerable in such situations. Yet we still of hear cases in which United Nations peacekeepers violate the rights of children. United Nations peacekeeping operations should be a model for safeguarding our children. We, the troop contributing countries, should recognize our responsibility to train our personnel at home so that they will not abuse children in the course of their duties, but protect them. In conclusion, we should be reminded that abduction is one of the six most grave violations against children. Yet that subject has not attracted adequate attention in the Security Council.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source

35. “Over the past six months, since the last open debate (see S/PV.7129), the Government of Japan has provided more than $1 million to the Central African Republic, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and South Sudan for children in need of protection, including psychosocial support. In order to achieve the goal ofthe campaign by 2016, its agenda has to be reinforced. The age verification procedure must be established universally, and those who violate it must be sanctioned. While the campaign is applicable only to Government military forces, the Security Council should begin to consider how the fruits of the campaign could be diverted to non-governmental military groups, given that they make up the majority of perpetrators.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source

36. “According to the Secretary-General's current report (S/2014/339, last year 147 students were abducted in the Republic of the Congo and 250 were abducted in South Sudan. Also, the number of child abduction cases by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in Syria is increasing. The Security Council should consider the best ways to prevent and eliminate child abductions in armed conflict. One of the purposes of child abduction is to recruit child soldiers. In that regard, the success ofthe Children, Not Soldiers campaign is of considerable significance. We welcome the progress made, such as the successful use of the age verification scheme that Chad has already used in approximately 3,800 of its military units, in cooperation with United Nations agencies.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source

37. “Prime Minister Abe stated here at the United Nations last September (see A/68/PV.12) that Japan would do everything possible to prevent sexual violence against women during armed conflict and to support, both materially and psychologically, the people who unfortunately become victims of such acts. It is absolutely necessary to prevent similar outrageous crimes from taking place again, and we should also spare no efforts in supporting the victims. In that regard, on 13 June, the Government of Japan contributed $855,000 to provide psychosocial support and health care for the victims and their community in Nigeria. That horrid incident symbolizes the vulnerable condition of children in armed conflict. It is neither the first time that children have been abducted, and it does not happen in Nigeria only.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source

38. “I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your leadership, Sir, in convening today's open debate. Let me also thank Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Johanna Brandt, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Mr. Forest Whitaker, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, and Ms. Sandra Uwiringyyimana for their briefings. Today I would like to focus on the issues of child abduction and matters related to it. On 14 April, the extremist Islamic group Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from their school in Chibok, Nigeria. Two-hundred twenty three of them are still missing.”

    2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source