YouSaid · the spoken record

Takasu

lines on the record: 863
first: 1998-08-13
most recent: 2010-07-21
sittings or episodes: 125
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

“The international community and the Government of Afghanistan together must make a great effort to improve the situation. Japan values the commitment of ISAF troop-contributing countries, renewed at the Bucharest meeting, as well as that of participants in Operation Enduring Freedom. Japan is continuing its efforts by assisting the maritime component of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Indian Ocean. Security sector reform should remain a central focus. In that regard, Japan continues to lead the ongoing efforts related to the disbandment of illegal and armed groups and will expand its training programme for Afghan police officers. We are prepared to provide additional equipment for the Afghan National Police.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Eide since assuming his post in this difficult but Vital task. It is hard to coordinate many actors unless they are willing to be coordinated. For their part, the G-8 leaders renewed their commitment to supporting UNAMA and Mr. Eide in their role as overall coordinator of the efforts of the international community. As regards the Secretary-General's report before the Council today (S/2008/434), Japan supports its observation that UNAMA should be strengthened, given the importance of the mission more effectively discharging the duties entrusted to it. We look forward to discussing in due course the details as to how to implement those observations. As we are set to discuss development challenges facing Afghanistan, the recent incident underscores the grim picture related to the security situation.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Prior to that, the G-8 Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the steadfast and long-term commitment of G-8 members by issuing a standalone statement on Afghanistan at their meeting in Kyoto last week. That statement presented a comprehensive strategy of the G-8 countries to assist Afghanistan in achieving stability and reconstruction. On those occasions, it has always been stressed that effective coordination among Governments and organizations is essential. We look to UNAMA and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan to play an even greater role in coordinating international efforts in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan. It is for that reason that the Security Council strengthened UNAMA's mandate in March. Japan highly appreciates the strenuous work carried out by Mr.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“When we last met in this Chamber to discuss the situation in Afghanistan in March (see S/PV.5851), all speakers expressed their commitment to assisting Afghanistan in its efforts to rebuild the country. Those commitments are reflected in Security Council resolution 1806 (2008), which extended and sharpened the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Since then, the strong commitment of the international community has been confirmed on various occasions, including at the Bucharest meeting and the Paris Conference. Most recently, the leaders of the Group of Eight (G-8) yesterday renewed their commitment to support Afghanistan at the G-8 Hokkaido Toyako summit.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“I thank Mr. Kai Eide and Mr. John Holmes for their dedicated work and for today's briefings on the situation in Afghanistan. I also welcome the presence here today of Mr. Spanta, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, and of Mr. Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan. At the outset, I must express our strong concern about the security situation in the country. Japan strongly condemns the suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul on Monday. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot by any means be justified. On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims, the bereaved families and the peoples and the Governments of Afghanistan and India.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“It is my sincere hope that today's open debate will help to generate more political will and greater action. We must all do our part to match the fine words of the Security Council's resolutions, with concrete actions that make a real difference for the women and girls whom the Council has pledged to protect and empower.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“We need stronger support to improve the operational capacity of all of those players in order to fully meet gender equality commitments. We must also work with local women's groups to fight prejudice and stigma and advance efforts to end impunity for such crimes. The roles of parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and the media are also important to enhance the accountability of the authorities and those in power for their actions - or, sometimes, their inaction. With that recognition, I assure the Council that the Peacebuilding Commission will continue to make every effort to raise the international profile of the needs of women and girls in peacebuilding efforts and to mobilize the necessary support and resources in a coordinated and integrated manner.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Compliance, implementation and enforcement are critical. The issue should be tackled in a holistic manner, including not only security and justice sector reform, but also basic social services such as education and health services, employment and income generation, in order to empower women and girls. In countries emerging from conflict, national Governments and other local stakeholders are ready to address the root causes of conflict, including the marginalization of women. But they often do not have the sufficient resources and capacities to do so effectively. On the ground, that requires a range of integrated efforts for multiple stakeholders such as government institutions, United Nations entities and civil society organizations.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Commitments to be undertaken by the Governments and the international community are clearly articulated in order to combat gender-based violence, ensure greater participation of women at all levels of decision- making and build the capacity of women's groups and national gender-equality institutions. The working group on lessons learned also considered the issue of gender and peacebuilding earlier this year and concluded that the gender issue should be viewed not just as a women's issue. It is an imperative in any peacebuilding effort, including security sector reform. We cannot effectively deal with this complex problem if the burden of responsibility for doing so rests only with women. The existence of legal frameworks and policies is not enough, because they will not end violence by themselves.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission, which is a very new body, has been ensuring, through its advocacy role and resource mobilization efforts, that a gender perspective becomes an integral part of any peacebuilding process. Significant efforts have been made to engage women and gender equality groups at various levels of the Commission's work, fully reflecting the priorities and issues of relevance to women's groups. Gender perspectives have been included as a critical and priority issue in the integrated peacebuilding strategies for Burundi and Sierra Leone.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“First, collecting actual data on the impact of sexual violence on women and girls and on perpetrators is an important first step to establishing a strategy to meet their needs on the ground. Secondly, ending impunity and prosecuting those responsible for such sexual crimes cannot be overemphasized and will facilitate communal reconciliation in post-conflict situations. Thirdly, gender-sensitive training programmes for peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel must be strengthened, at both the national and international levels. Fourthly, the mandate of peacekeeping operations could reflect more concrete actions in implementing resolution 1325 (2000), in order to mainstream a gender perspective and provide protection from gender-based violence.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“We need only look at the situation of sexual violence and abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Darfur to understand the horrific magnitude of the problem and how urgently we must address it. We must admit that our collective response to gender-based violence has been inadequate thus far, and this failure to respond is magnified over time, because the effects of sexual violence linger long after the fact, undermining and threatening the potential for peace and stability. Every effort must be made to promote the human security of women and girls in a fragile situation by physically protecting and empowering them. In order to take effective measures to meet those challenges, there are several actions that the Security Council may wish to consider.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Significant percentages of the national parliaments of many post-conflict countries are now women. More women are taking leadership positions in the executive branch. Several female Special Representatives of the Secretary-General have been appointed. The international community has been gaining more understanding of the unique impact of armed conflict on women and girls and a growing recognition that women's participation is essential to ensuring conflict resolution, inclusive reconciliation, peacebuilding and sustainable peace. However, we have been less successful in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence in situations of armed conflict. Many women still suffer from a sense of insecurity. They remain particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation, both in the midst of conflict and in its immediate aftermath.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Mr. Takasu: I would like to commend the leadership of the United States for organizing this open debate, and I thank you, Mr. President, for inviting me to participate in my capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. The landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security calls upon all parties involved to ensure the protection of and respect for the human rights of women and girls and provides a solid framework for women's equal and full participation in every stage of building peace and ensuring security. The challenge we face is to generate stronger political will and spur greater concrete actions. Since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), steady progress has been made in helping more women to participate in post-conflict decision-making.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Last year, we launched a pilot programme for peacebuilding human resources development, which will contribute to meeting some of the gaps I have discussed today. Twenty-nine graduates of the course from Japan and neighbouring countries in Asia are currently working in countries including the Sudan, Timor-Leste and Nepal. The initiative will be expanded into a fully scaled-up programme next year. Moreover, peacekeeping and peacebuilding will be one of the priority issues to be considered at the 08-34772 Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, to be held in Yokohoma this month, and at the Group of Eight Summit to be held in Toyako, Hokkaido, in July. Japan remains committed to making the utmost efforts to strengthen international peacebuilding activities and to enhance global capacity in this field.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I hope that today's discussion will inspire specific actions that we can move forward to strengthen United Nations peacebuilding activities. Finally, I would like again to thank the Security Council for its support for the Peacebuilding Commission. Before I conclude my statement, allow me to say just a few words in my national capacity. As Prime Minister Fukuda of Japan expressed in January this year, Japan is determined to play a further active role in the international community as a peace- fostering nation. To that end, we have taken a variety of initiatives to support peacebuilding activities all over the world. Among other things, Japan has extended substantial support to strengthen the peacekeeping and peacebuilding capacities of many African countries, including five peacekeeping operation centres.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It will also be important to seek additional means of mobilizing resources to complement the catalytic and therefore limited role of the Peacebuilding Fund. We welcome any innovative proposal, including those of the United Kingdom and others, to increase resources to post-conflict countries that will complement the existing mechanisms and ensure the coherence and effectiveness of all funding resources. It is clear that there are still many conceptual and operational questions that need to be addressed to better respond to the enormous challenges of post- conflict peacebuilding. The Peacebuilding Commission is ready to engage in further consideration on some of the issues the Security Council has discussed today.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Peacebuilding Fund was established to provide catalytic funding in order to fill the immediate funding gaps in the critical areas, activate potential multiplier effects for stability, and induce additional resources for longer-term sustained support. While its volume has surpassed the original target of $250 million with contributions from 45 donors, it would be desirable to see a higher level of resources in light of increasing demands. I would like to take this opportunity to 08-34772 appeal to all Member States to make generous contributions to the Fund. The Peacebuilding Fund has been successfully assisting several post-conflict countries, but it is not expected to meet all peacebuilding needs. To achieve maximum impacts on the ground, we should improve the coordination of multilateral and bilateral donors in the country.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The deployment of such expertise should be based on a clear prioritization of peacebuilding needs in each particular phase, linked to priority areas that the Peacebuilding Commission has identified. We welcome the efforts of several Governments, including that of the United Kingdom, to train and maintain a roster of civilian specialists with the various skills and capacities necessary for peacebuilding efforts. We should examine an appropriate mechanism in the United Nations to mobilize those experienced specialists in a speedy manner to support post-conflict capacity-building. Thirdly, speedy and flexible funding to meet urgent requirements has been a major concern.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Secondly, national leadership requires functional institutional and human capacities at the State and local levels. Those capacities are usually limited in most countries emerging from conflict, as many speakers mentioned this morning. It is essential for international partners to ensure the timely deployment of civilian expertise to assist in rebuilding national capacities. Peacebuilding requires the active involvement of multifaceted partners with varied expertise and specialties in such areas as governance, the rule of law, the security and judicial sectors, civil administration - including financial management - basic services, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and private sector development.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Through that process, the integrated peacebuilding strategy was developed to serve as a framework for the coordination of various existing and evolving activities. The leadership of the United Nations representative is also crucial to monitoring 2 progress and issuing early warnings on shortfalls in implementation. The United Nations representative needs to be equipped with appropriate mandates and resources to execute leadership. At the same time, leadership must be exercised in an informal and flexible manner to mobilize the full cooperation of all stakeholders. Peacebuilding efforts can be more effective when a lead country takes direct charge in supporting a particular country, working in tandem with the United Nations, and brings in new, non-traditional partners.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“First, the Commission's experiences confirm the centrality of national ownership, which is not only for priority activities selected by the Government. It must also serve as the prime mover in carrying out political, security and economic reform. Such leadership and commitment by national Governments are prerequisites to any successful peacebuilding effort. National ownership must be complemented by partnership with local stakeholders and the international partners. In that regard, I would like to stress the important role of the United Nations leadership on the ground. In both Burundi and Sierra Leone, the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General facilitated the promotion of dialogue among all stakeholders on the ground.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Takasu: I would like to express my deep appreciation to the United Kingdom for its leadership and timely initiative in convening this open debate. I am grateful for the invitation to attend in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission. I am also grateful for the very kind words expressed to the Peacebuilding Commission by many speakers this morning. The Peacebuilding Commission was established to address the complex challenges of post-conflict reconstruction. I have made conscious efforts to guide the attention of the Commission to peacebuilding gaps in achieving a smooth shift from peacekeeping activities and transition to development. I therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss the issues highlighted in the President's concept note.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I would like to assure the Council that the Commission will continue to pay the utmost attention to mobilizing international support and resources for the efforts of countries emerging from conflict, based on mutual engagement, with the aim of having a real impact on the ground.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“Thirdly, a coordinated, coherent and integrated approach is indispensable in addressing the multifaceted nature of security sector reform. Such reform requires the active involvement of a wide range of national and international actors with diverse expertise and specialties. It also needs to take into account its close links with such matters as the rule of law and good governance and the necessity to integrate gender perspectives. 08-33544 For all those reasons, I believe that the Peacebuilding Commission can make significant contributions to promoting security sector reform by providing a valuable forum for coordinated efforts by all relevant actors on the basis of integrated strategies.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“The commitment by national leaders to fulfilling their responsibility for such reform is essential to producing results and inducing international support. Secondly, security sector reform requires long- term, predictable and sustainable support and assistance from the wider international community. It is important to involve all national and international stakeholders from the early stages of planning in order to ensure a smooth transition from peacekeeping to recovery and sustainable development. In coordination with the efforts of local actors, United Nations agencies, individual countries, regional and international organizations, including international financial institutions, and civil society are all equipped to make various contributions to that end.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“In Sierra Leone, the Fund provided support to strengthen police capacities in the lead-up to the national elections and to improve the conditions of military barracks. In Burundi, it supported reform efforts of the national police and the intelligence services. In Guinea-Bissau, a project to rehabilitate prisons and provide support to the judiciary police is currently under consideration, to be funded through the Peacebuilding Fund. Allow me to now briefly offer some of my own observations on security sector reform, in the light of the experiences gained through the work of the Peacebuilding Commission over the past two years. First, security sector reform must be a nationally owned process. The governments concerned should lead not only the planning process but also the implementation of such reform.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“With regard to Guinea-Bissau, security sector reform is identified as one of the most important peacebuilding priorities through the interaction with the Government. During the Peacebuilding Commission's visit to the country recently, the participants concurred with the view of the stakeholders on the ground that successful implementation of Guinea-Bissau's security sector reform plan published in November 2006 was key to the country's stability. The Commission is now in the process of developing an integrated strategy reflecting the priority concerns of the country. As designed to address any gap in the early stage of the peacebuilding process, the Peace Building Fund plays a catalytic role in support of various security sector reform initiatives.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission's engagement with Burundi has focused on consolidating the important gains made to date through the reorganization of the army and the police and the demobilization of combatants. At this moment, a delegation from the Peacebuilding Commission is visiting Burundi. Recent violent clashes between the Palipehutu-Forces nationales de liberation and Government security forces and the ensuing worsening of the security situation will be an important issue for discussion during the visit. I would like to emphasize that continued international support for security sector reform is critical to laying the foundation for effective peacebuilding efforts in that country.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“The Cooperation Framework contains specific commitments on the part of the Government to review the conditions and terms of service of its armed forces, to reduce the size of the armed forces, and to provide training to improve police and community relations. The report of the Chair of the Sierra Leone country-specific configuration underscores that the Government of Sierra Leone has been making impressive progress in meeting its commitments. I believe that the upcoming high-level stakeholders consultation on Sierra Leone on 19 May presents a useful opportunity to highlight security sector reform initiatives led by the Government, with the support of its international partners, including the United Nations and the United Kingdom, and to seek additional support for continued reforms.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“It was with that in mind that the Commission held thematic discussions on the reform of the security and justice sectors in its country-specific meetings. Throughout its work, the Peacebuilding Commission has put emphasis on ownership - priorities to be identified by the Government and commitment to fulfilling its responsibility. In the consultative process involving all stakeholders, the Commission develops an integrated peacebuilding strategy. Security sector reform has been identified as a priority area both in Sierra Leone and in Burundi. Those frameworks and monitoring mechanisms describe the challenges faced and the commitments to be met by both the Government itself and other stakeholders locally and internationally. Sierra Leone has been widely viewed as an example of successful security sector reform.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“In order to achieve sustainable peace in such countries, it is critically important to strengthen local capacity in the security sector by carrying out effective reform with the assistance of the international community. If we fail to successfully address that important challenge, it will certainly cause a serious peacebuilding gap, which will hamper a smooth shift beyond peacekeeping activities and a gradual transition to longer-term socio-economic development in the overall peace continuum. Security sector reform has broad implications for such peacebuilding efforts as reconciliation, social integration and youth empowerment. That is why security sector reform is one of the high priority issues in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“Mr. Takasu: I would like to express my deep appreciation to you, Sir, for inviting me, in my capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, to address the Council on security sector reform. My gratitude goes to the Secretary-General for his briefing and his endeavours on promoting this matter. I am also grateful to Mr. Jan Kubis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, for his presence here today and the leadership role of his country. The presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Van der Merwe of the Republic of South Africa is welcome. 7 Ensuring security is a precondition for any peacebuilding effort in countries emerging from conflict.”
2008-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5889 (2008) · source
“At the same time, it will be important for the three Committees to coordinate and streamline their activities and to avoid duplicating efforts in their visits and assessments of the reports submitted by the Member States. We would also appreciate it if the Committees could provide regular informal briefings, in addition to briefings such as this morning's, to ensure accountability and guidance to Member States.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“Japan has taken an active initiative to promote the universalization of resolution 1540 (2004). As the Chair of the G8, it is our intention to promote the examination of how G8 countries can contribute further to the work of the 1540 Committee. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review conference is slated for early September 2008. The Strategy is a valuable instrument for the Member States to work collectively in combating terrorism. The United Nations and its Member States must achieve greater cooperation to further advance global efforts. We have high expectations that the three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council will do their utmost to implement the Strategy.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“It is our view that its mandate should be extended beyond June, and we welcome the efforts made in improving the quality and procedures of its consolidated list. We encourage the Committee to continue that effort. Japan places great importance on de-radicalization as an essential element of counter-terrorism. We therefore appreciate the Committee's continuous engagement in the working group on de-radicalization under the Task Force. Japan welcomes the recent decision of the Security Council to extend and enhance the mandate of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). Japan sees the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) as a key element in our global efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“We are jointly striving to strengthen information-sharing in New York and to coordinate the best response to the counter-terrorism assistance requirements of concerned countries. Japan also welcomes the readiness of CTED to participate actively in and support the Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force. We hope the CTED will make a significant contribution to the implementation of the Counter-Terrorism Strategy through its active participation in the Task Force and its working groups. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities is playing a crucial role in that field.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“As the Chair of the G8 this year, Japan places high priority on building national capacities to combat terrorism and organized crime, and we are making great efforts to achieve that objective. We highly value the work of the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) in identifying specific needs for counter-terrorism technical assistance through site visits and preliminary implementation assessments. One of the major challenges is how to match appropriate supporters with the assistance needs identified by the CTED. For such matchmaking, well-focused dialogue among CTED, the CTC and Member States will be useful, as stated in paragraph 5 of resolution 1805 (2008). Japan, as the Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Action Group, is making every effort to promote effective coordination with the CTED.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency for the month of May and express my deep appreciation to you for convening today's debate. I would also like to thank the Chairs of the Council's three counter-terrorism committees for their respective briefings. The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy sets out the shared understanding among Member States on how to address the common threat of terrorism. In order to implement the Strategy, most importantly, each Member State must strengthen its national counter-terrorism capacity and promote international cooperation as a matter of urgency.”
2008-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5886 (2008) · source
“I would like to touch on another effort to end the illicit trade and to regulate the transfer of small arms. As a non-exporter of weapons, Japan attaches importance to transfer controls to prevent the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. We therefore support the initiative to promote a comprehensive, legally binding instrument establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. An arms trade treaty would be a valuable initiative in that regard. We welcome the fact that the Security Council continues to pay utmost attention to the illicit trade in small arms as one important cause of insecurity, with valuable input from the Secretary-General.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Japan has also assisted projects in many countries, including in Asia and Africa, to build national, regional and subregional capacity for collection; stockpile management and destruction of illicit small arms and light weapons; import and export controls; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and security sector reform. Regional and subregional dimensions need to be strengthened and emphasized for effective implementation. Most recently, through the Economic Community of West African States, we supported the establishment of national commissions in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire to tackle the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. In selecting and implementing projects, we should coordinate more effectively to match the needs of States with available resources and to achieve tangible results.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“We hope that the third biennial meeting of States, in July, will be successful, because it would provide an opportunity for substantive and action-oriented discussion on priority issues such as international cooperation and assistance, illicit brokering, stockpile management and disposal of surplus. Secondly, international cooperation and assistance should be strengthened to support the needs of countries and regional organizations in building their capacity. For our part, Japan has been active in supporting promotion of the International Tracing Instrument, including supporting the recent subregional workshop for Central and West Africa.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“Within this framework, Japan welcomes in particular the adoption of the International Tracing Instrument in 2005 and the submission of the report on illicit brokering by the Group of Governmental Experts in 2007 (A/62/163 and Corr. 1 ). The most important task before us in this context is to make real progress in implementing the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument. For that purpose I suggest two things. First, we should make full use of the biennial review of the implementation of the Programme of Action at the meeting of States.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“It also gives rise to socio-economic problems such as child soldiers and disruption of post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery efforts. Japan has already participated actively in United Nations efforts to tackle the issue of small arms and light weapons and has taken the initiative to promote a General Assembly resolution on this issue almost every year since 1995. Since 2001 we have worked together with Colombia and South Africa for the same cause. We are convinced that it is essential to implement effectively the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“At the outset, Mr. President, I would like to express my appreciation to you for having convened today's debate on small arms. We are grateful also to Ms. Hannelore Hoppe for her introduction of the Secretary-General's report on small arms (S/2008/258). The report serves as a valuable guidepost for our discussion. Conflicts are now fought primarily with small arms and light weapons. The international community must make every effort to end the illicit trade in small arms in order to bring about peace and development in post-conflict countries. The question of small arms and light weapons requires a multidisciplinary approach, as they threaten human security at the nexus of peace and development. The widespread use of small arms results in a large number of casualties and prolongation of armed conflicts.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881 (2008) · source
“In conclusion, I can tell the Council that we are making great strides in fostering close collaboration between the Peacebuilding Commission and regional and subregional organizations, starting with the African Union, to promote peacebuilding and conflict prevention in Africa. I intend to consult further with members of the Commission on how it can best address that need. The Commission's planned meeting tomorrow afternoon with the Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council will provide a useful opportunity to that end. I look forward to fruitful discussions on that occasion.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The integrated strategies elaborated for Burundi and Sierra Leone serve as a good basis for cooperation activities by the African Union. Secondly, we see great potential in harmonizing the policy framework on post-conflict reconstruction and development adopted by the African Union's Executive Council and the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, which take similar approaches to promoting post-conflict peacebuilding. The Peacebuilding Support Office is engaged in active collaboration with the AU's subcluster on the policy framework, which is expected to produce tangible benefits for both the Peacebuilding Commission and the African Union Peace and Security Council. Those efforts will also facilitate the development of linkages between post-conflict reconstruction and development.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As a member of all three country-specific configurations of the Commission, the African Union has been an effective and active contributor to the Council's deliberations, both in New York and on the ground. We value and appreciate the Union's effective partnership. In that connection, I would like to suggest two ways of promoting more enhanced collaboration between the African Union and the Peacebuilding Commission. First, the African Union may wish to have more active inputs in the process of drafting and implementing the integrated peacebuilding strategies of the Peacebuilding Commission and to align itself more closely with them. The strategies are articulated in such a way as to minimize the risk of relapse into conflict, and they thus also contribute to conflict prevention.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Successful peacebuilding requires the sustained engagement of multifaceted stakeholders with diverse expertise and specialties. I recognize the essential added value that the Peacebuilding Commission can provide with its convening role of mobilizing the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders. The founding resolutions of the Peacebuilding Commission refer directly to Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter and thereby provide a strong rationale for close collaboration between the Commission and regional and subregional organizations. The Commission will explore practical and flexible ways to cooperate and make a concrete difference on the ground. The first three countries to be considered by the Commission, namely, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, are all in Africa.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Youth unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities are widely recognized as a common challenge to post- conflict societies. This problem also requires a regional approach, as unemployed youth often move from one place to another in search of employment opportunities, including, sometimes, as soldiers. The Peacebuilding Commission has analysed those issues and has offered practical guidance in our country- specific activities and in the Working Group on Lessons Learned. The Peacebuilding Commission truly values the ongoing efforts of regional and subregional organizations. These organizations play an important role in the areas of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. At the same time, their activities are more effective when they are fully integrated into, and well coordinated with, the overall work of the Commission.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source