Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Japan's Election as a Member of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

October 18, 2005

At the election for membership of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (U.N.) on October 17 (Mon) at the 60th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Japan was re-elected. As a result, Japan will serve as a member from 2006 to 2008, which will make 15th term of its service. We take the result seriously as it demonstrates that the role that Japan has played and Japan's contribution to the economic and social field in the international community have been appreciated in the U.N., and as it shows expectations for Japan's further contribution in the future.
Today, peace and security are more closely linked to economic and social issues, and it is becoming more important for the U.N. to be coordinated as a whole and to deal with these issues comprehensively. In response to the outcome document of the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Japan intends to continue exerting leadership, in cooperation with each council member, to transform ECOSOC into an effective organ to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Specifically, Japan intends to promote ECOSOC's further strengthened efforts in dealing with such fields as natural disaster and infectious diseases, and the consolidation of peace.
It is necessary for the international community to further address actively the issues of nation-building and development of developing countries for world peace and prosperity, while striking a good balance between environment and development. Japan would like to continue exercising leadership, in concert with the U.N. and other member states.

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