Foreign Policy
Meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
September 24, 2014
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On September 24, commencing at 12:40 p.m. for 15 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister, held a meeting with Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. An overview of the meeting is as follows:
1. Beginning
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Secretary-General Ki-moon on the success of the UN Climate Summit and once again expressed his gratitude to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who hosted the summit. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe announced that this Government of Japan was also determined to make the maximum efforts for the success of the COP 20 and 21.
2. Ebola Virus Disease
(1) Expressing his concerns over the fact that international society is facing many issues such as the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease and situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would emphasize continued cooperation with the UN in the future as well. Then, concerning the Ebola virus disease, Prime Minister Abe stated that he had decided to attend the UN High-level Meeting on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in view of its importance and added that he was considering additional assistance.
(2) In response to this, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Prime Minister Abe’s visit to New York. Then, expressing his gratitude for Japan’s cooperation for responding to the Ebola virus disease, which has become a threat to international society, Secretary-General requested further cooperation and stated that he would like to coordinate and cooperate with Japan.
(2) In response to this, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Prime Minister Abe’s visit to New York. Then, expressing his gratitude for Japan’s cooperation for responding to the Ebola virus disease, which has become a threat to international society, Secretary-General requested further cooperation and stated that he would like to coordinate and cooperate with Japan.
3. Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Post-2015 Development Agenda
(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that he was looking forward to participation of Secretary-General Ban in the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held next March in Sendai and he would like to closely cooperate with Secretary-General Ki-moon for the success of the conference. In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that the Post-2015 Development Agenda should be an effective framework based on the principle of human security and expressed the determination that the Government of Japan would proactively participate in the future discussion at the United Nations.
(2) In response to the above, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe for serving as co-chair of the Resilience Session of the UN Climate Summit, and stated that the Sendai Conference would be important, that he appreciated Japan’s initiatives and he would like to attend the conference. Moreover, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that he wanted assistance from Prime Minister Abe in order to further advance the discussion on what the international development goals after 2015 should be.
(2) In response to the above, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe for serving as co-chair of the Resilience Session of the UN Climate Summit, and stated that the Sendai Conference would be important, that he appreciated Japan’s initiatives and he would like to attend the conference. Moreover, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that he wanted assistance from Prime Minister Abe in order to further advance the discussion on what the international development goals after 2015 should be.
4. 70th Anniversary of the Foundation of the UN (Security Council Reform)
(1) Concerning the Security Council reform, Prime Minister Abe, touching on the fact that the next year marks the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the UN, expressed his determination that Japan would provide leadership to reform the UN in order to reflect the reality of the 21st century, while seeking cooperation from various countries, and requested cooperation from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
(2) Finally, both parties shared their views that they would further cooperate for the peace and stability of international society in the future as well.
(2) Finally, both parties shared their views that they would further cooperate for the peace and stability of international society in the future as well.