Section 6 Utilization of ODA to Achieve Fundamental Solutions to Conflict and Terrorism

Conflicts continue today in areas around the world, and even when such conflicts are resolved, there are many countries that are in danger of descending into turmoil once again. According to the "Human Development Report 2005" compiled by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), conflict or instability following conflict continues in 22 of the 34 developing countries that are expected to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the slowest. In addition, approximately 40% of countries that have recently recovered from conflict have fallen into conflict again, with the ratio rising to approximately 60% in Africa.

So-called "failed states," nations that have been battered by conflict and lost the ability to govern, are in danger of becoming the site of terrorist activity, and presenting a threat to the surrounding regions and the world in general. For example, armed groups continue terrorist activities in Afghanistan. There are even cases in which terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda, have internationalized and committed acts of terrorism in the developed countries. The threat of terrorism continues to be an issue shared by the international community, with suicide bombings in areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, serial bombings of the subway in Moscow, Russia in March, an attempted bombing of Times Square in New York, U.S., in May, and a suicide bombing in downtown Stockholm, Sweden in December, all occurring in 2010 alone.

Japan’s own security and prosperity have been built on the peace and stability of the international community, so the nation has been proactive in its approach to resolving conflict and terrorism. For example, in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, Japan has provided assistance for such activities as the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) into society of former soldiers, support of local police, and removal of landmines, etc. In addition, Japan has been working in Afghanistan, to assist in providing salaries and training for police personnel, implementing literacy education, and conducting other activities to aid in the steady progress of process of transferring control of security that began in July 2011, and in establishing stable security. Japan provides a variety of support to aid measures against international terror in the countries of Southeast Asia, with which Japan has a particularly close relation, such as immigration, aviation and port security, customs, and law enforcement.

As conflict and terrorism continue, Japan must take more efficient and effective action as a responsible member of the international community. For example, the "Interim Report of the Study Group on Japan's Engagement in UN Peacekeeping Operations" released in July 2011 proposes strategic and effective partnerships with UN PKO and other peace-keeping activities, and with ODA and other diplomatic activities, as part of the enhancement of partnerships that Japan engages in as a whole. In the future as well, Japan will strive to find ways to utilize ODA more appropriately, in order to reduce poverty and resolve the root causes of conflicts and terrorism, thereby improving the global security environment for ensuring security and establishing the security and prosperity of Japan.

Students in the Department of Electricity and Electronics at the "Project on Basic Vocational Training in Afghanistan" Vocational Training Center(Photo: Raymond Wilkinson/JICA)

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