S/PV.7902 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Afghanistan to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/222, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Japan. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/189, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2344 (2017). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

As the Permanent Representative of the lead country in the Council on the Afghanistan file, I would like to make a brief statement. Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2344 (2017) and appreciates the support and constructive engagement of Council members and all interested parties. We are united in our serious concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation, as well as in our commitment to supporting Afghanistan and the Government’s efforts to tackle the many complex challenges it faces. Though there may be differences in nuance in how Council members assess the current situation, we are also united in recognizing the important role that the United Nations will continue to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. That is why we have decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by one year. Japan believes that the Council should have more opportunities to better understand the current situation on the ground. Japan considers that the time is ripe to discuss how the Council can better support concrete improvements in security and development. Japan would therefore like the Council to consider a new format for our meeting on UNAMA in June, which will provide opportunities for Council members, along with Special Representative of the Secretary-General Yamamoto, to have interactive discussions on various issues. Japan is committed to continuing to assist Afghanistan on its path towards a better future, and looks forward to working with the Council in the days ahead.