Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida by Her Excellency, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida received a courtesy call from Her Excellency, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict on November 20, from 12:30 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes. Special Representative Bangura came to Japan upon the invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. At the start of the meeting Minister Kishida welcomed Special Representative Bangura’s visit to Japan. He also welcomed the fact that the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict which was endorsed by 135 countries was announced at a side event of the United Nations General Assembly. He said that he wants to cooperate with Special Representative Bangura in order to follow up with the Declaration. In response, Special Representative Bangura said Japan is able to act as a role model by utilizing its post-war reconstruction experience, and added Japan has been fulfilling an important role, such as its leading role at the G8 meeting, in the international community where a strong commitment to prevent sexual violence in conflict has been made.
2. Special Representative Bangura said she hopes to continue to receive cooperation and support from the Government of Japan to address sexual violence in conflict, in order to implement commitments. She mentioned that the position of Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict was founded by the UN Security Council when Japan was a non-permanent member. Special Representative Bangura said she hopes Japan returns to the Council, and that on that occasion Women, Peace and Security will be positioned as a priority theme at the Council. Minister Kishida replied that he believes sexual violence in conflict must not be ignored, and that he has been working consistently and actively on this problem from the time of the G8 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He said he has been providing support for the prevention of sexual violence, and will coordinate with other concerned countries to consider what kinds of cooperation may be possible in the future. Minister Kishida also explained that the Government of Japan is in the process of formulating an “action plan” for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, with the cooperation of civil society.
3. At the end of the meeting Minister Kishida and Special Representative Bangura agreed to work closely to address sexual violence in conflict.