Secondment of a Japan's Foreign Ministry Official as the Chief of Staff in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)

March 1, 2007

In response to the request from the United Nations, the Government of Japan has decided to second Mr. Takahisa Kawakami, Minister-Counselor at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Mr. Kawakami will be appointed as the Chief of Staff for an initial period of one year, beginning on 5 March 2007, and work in the UNAMA Headquarters, Kabul.
The tasks of the UNAMA include providing political and strategic advice to the Government of Afghanistan for the peace process. The UNAMA plays an important role in promoting the DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the former military combatants) and the DIAG (disbandment of the illegal armed groups), the fields on which Japan puts priority in its assistance for Afghanistan. It is expected that the Chief of Staff will support the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), provide advice on policy matters and coordinate the activities of each section in the UNAMA. The secondment of Mr. Kawakami to such a post is part of personnel contribution to the UN and will help strengthen cooperative relationship between Japan and the UN.
Reconstruction assistance for Afghanistan is an important task for the international community, and Japan hopes that this secondment will contribute to strengthening of peace and stability in Afghanistan and ultimately in the region.

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