Address by Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the Sixty-fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly—Announcement of Concrete Contributions in Four Areas

September 2010

Heads of states, ministers, and other delegates from countries around the world delivered addresses under the theme of "reaffirming the central role of the United Nations in global governance" at the General Debate of the sixty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, which started on September 23. In his address, Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan announced, in line with his idea of creating a society in which human suffering is reduced to a minimum, Japan's intention of making concrete contributions in the four areas of (i) assistance to the developing countries, (ii) the global environment, (iii) nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and (iv) peacekeeping and peacebuilding, as described below, with the aim to overcome the challenges that the international community is facing. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of UN reform.

(i) Assistance to the developing countries

While introducing the announcement of the "Kan Commitment," new contributions in the health and education areas, which are crucial areas for achieving the MDGs, Prime Minister Kan announced Japan's policy of leading the efforts towards meeting the MDGs, as well as continuing and strengthening its assistance to Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, in accordance with the concept of human security.

(ii) Global environment

Prime Minister Kan stated that Japan would lead international negotiations for the success of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), aiming at adopting a new and comprehensive legally binding document to establish a fair and effective international framework, and that it would steadily support developing countries and others that are taking measures to address climate change. The Prime Minister also indicated Japan's determination to play an important role as chair of the 10th Conference of Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, stating that COP 10 must be successful in order to halt the loss of biodiversity.

(iii) Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation

Prime Minister Kan expressed Japan's resolve, as the only country that has ever suffered the devastation of atomic bombings, to take steps to realize a world without nuclear weapons, and his will to send out messages to the world about the horror of the use of nuclear weapons and the value of peace by appointing "Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons." The Prime Minister also stated that Japan intended to deepen discussions, including by launching a new group at a Foreign Ministers meeting, thereby expanding international support for nuclear disarmament.

(iv) Peacekeeping and peacebuilding

While referring to Japan's achievements of active contribution to the UN PKOs and disaster relief operations in Haiti, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Kan announced Japan's intention to make concrete efforts in such areas as investing in peace, providing assistance to PKO training centers, and developing human resources. The Prime Minister also stated that Japan would continue to support Afghanistan's efforts in a comprehensive and integrated manner, focusing on the three pillars of security, reintegration, and sustainable and self-reliant development.

As per the UN reform, Prime Minister Kan stated that it was important to realize an effective and efficient UN in order to address global issues appropriately, and expressed his view that reform was indispensable in order for the Security Council to have legitimacy which reflects the realities of the international community, and to be effective. He furthermore expressed Japan's determined aspiration to take on further responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council.