Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on a Report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change

December 1, 2004
Japanese

Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, made the following statement on an issuance of the report by "the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change" on 30th of November (Tue) (local time).

1. On November 30th (Tue) (local time), the report of "The High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change," established by Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations was officially released. The Panel, since last November, has analyzed and assessed the threats and challenges, facing the international community in the 21st century including poverty, infectious diseases, degradation of environment, inter-state and internal conflicts, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and transnational organizational crime, and compiled the report which encompasses the recommendations on how the international community should address these threats and how the UN institution needs to be reformed to that end. The Government of Japan highly values these efforts by the members of the Panel and others involved in the Panel's deliberations.
   
   
2. Japan considers that for the United Nations to effectively address the threats facing the international community, it is necessary to enhance both its effectiveness and its credibility of the Security Council. To that end, Japan is of the view that both permanent and non-permanent categories of the Council must be expanded. Such a proposal figures in the High-Level Panel report and Japan would like to intensify discussions with the Member States and achieve a strengthened the Security Council through reform. In this endeavor, Japan is resolved to assume a further responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council, as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated in the 59th General Assembly Session of the United Nations.
   
   
3. Following the publication of the report, the Government of Japan will further strengthen our efforts to engage in a broad-range of countries towards the strengthening of the United Nations, in particular, to reform the Security Council, in cooperation with Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the countries related. Towards a summit meeting on the Millennium Declaration on September 2005, Japan would like to strengthen its efforts to address many challenges stated in the Declaration, including development, peace and security, and UN reform through intensifying discussions with the Member States.

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