Japan and the United Nations
Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly
September 19, 2023
On September 19, commencing at around 3 p.m. (local time) for approximately thirty minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Foreign Minister Kamikawa congratulated President Dennis Francis on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly and stated that she strongly hopes President Francis would exercise his leadership in facilitating during the 78th session of the General Assembly. In response, President Francis welcomed Ms. Kamikawa's appointment as Foreign Minister and her attendance at the UN General Assembly.
- Foreign Minister Kamikawa stressed that the role of the UN General Assembly is becoming increasingly important and that the SDG Summit and next year’s Summit of the Future will be important opportunities, in particular when the international community is facing history’s turning point. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening the UN functions as a whole including the Security Council reform in order to enhance cooperation based on the rule of law and multilateralism. Foreign Minister Kamikawa further stated that the role and authority of the General Assembly and its President should be enhanced. President Francis expressed his determination to reform the UN.
- Referring to the unprecedented challenges the international community faces, both sides concurred to work together toward the Summit of the Future in the coming year so that the international community can unite and build a world based on multilateralism.