As we embark on the new century, it is a deplorable reality that the international community continues to experience serious tragedies caused by conflicts, violence and discrimination. It is therefore essential that in commemorating the International Year for the Culture of Peace, we strengthen our …
First, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Sir, a former Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland, on your assumption of the office of President of the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session.
I would also like to pay my respects to Mr. Theo- Ben Gurirab, Foreign Minist…
Fifty-five years have passed since the United Nations was established. Throughout this period, and particularly since the end of the cold war, progress has been made in the efforts to achieve peace and prosperity. On the other hand, there continue to be tensions and conflicts, and concerns over the …
It is a great pleasure, honour and privilege for me to address the General Assembly, on behalf of all the Member States of the Asian Group, at the opening of its fifty-fifth session. I would like to offer to you, Mr. President, the warmest congratulations of the Asian Group on your election as Presi…
At the outset, on behalf of the delegation of Japan, I would like to express my appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this meeting on the situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Japan has been closely following this conflict and welcomes the decision which the two countries made on 18 June t…
Madam President, I would like to thank you for providing us with this opportunity to present Japan’s views on the situation in East Timor in the light of the recent events, particularly the tragic death of Private Leonard William Manning on 24 July. The Government and people of Japan extend their pr…
I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on conflict prevention, and for providing us with the opportunity to present our views on this important issue. This meeting is a further testimony to the importance which the Security Council attaches to conflict prevention in the…
Eight months have passed since the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established. We welcome the progress made throughout East Timor during that time, thanks in no small measure to the dedicated efforts of the UNTAET staff under the able leadership of Mr. Sergio V…
I would like to express my delegation’s gratitude to you, Mr. President, for convening this very timely meeting on the Balkan region. I also appreciate the Council’s decision to enable Japan to express its views on this issue of critical importance for international peace. As Mr. Carl Bildt, the Sec…
I would like to express my appreciation to you, Mr. President, for providing us with this opportunity to present our views on the situation in Tajikistan at this special moment when the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) has successfully completed its mandate.
Japan fully agr…
Japan has requested this opportunity to participate in this meeting because of its deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Sierra Leone. My delegation joins the previous speakers in condemning the violence by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), particularly its brutal attacks against unar…
I would like to begin by commending you, Mr. President, on your initiative in convening this meeting to consider ways and means of strengthening United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the area of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR). The importance of the DDR process cannot be overemp…
I would like to thank you, Sir, for personally presiding over this meeting to consider ways and means of enhancing the security of those personnel who are working in conflict zones. The importance of this issue cannot be overemphasized, as the safety of personnel is a precondition for the success of…
Mr. President, I would like to express our appreciation for your leadership in convening this meeting on Security Council reform and also for the very thoughtful and enlightening statement you have just made. I am confident that this meeting will help advance the cause of Security Council reform so …
I would like to refer to resolution 54/96 H, on East Timor, which has just been adopted. This resolution is very timely indeed, for it has been adopted at a time when the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) has just commenced its activities. More importantly, the two-da…
Let me begin by expressing my delegation’s appreciation to the Secretary-General for preparing the reports on agenda items 20 (f) and 50. I would also like to thank most heartily the delegation of Germany for coordinating the important draft resolution before us. The draft resolution covers, in a co…
Poverty and conflicts are the two major problems that have been hampering the development of many countries in Africa. They also pose serious threats to human security — that is to security in the life and dignity of communities and their members — in many parts of the continent. And we all know tha…
The importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, particularly in addressing the issues of conflict prevention and economic development, cannot be overstated. Japan therefore supports the enhanced mutual cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization o…
Japan reluctantly joined the consensus adoption of the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.37 and wishes to take this opportunity to explain and reiterate its fundamental position on the issue of multilingualism, and in particular its implication for the staff members in the United Nations…
Let me begin by expressing my delegation's appreciation to the Secretary-General for preparing the report (A/54/495) on agenda item 43, “The situation in the Middle East”. Let me also reaffirm my Government's wholehearted support for the Middle East peace process and our hope to see the achievement …
