Press Releases

On February 25, Ms. IKUINA attended the high-level segment of the official plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and made a statement on behalf of the Government of Japan. In her statement, Ms. IKUINA noted that this year marks 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and expressed Japan’s appreciation for the efforts made by various civil society actors in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation education, including the promotion of understanding of the reality of atomic bombings. She called for the reinvigoration of existing disarmament institutions, the immediate start of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), and the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

On February 26, Ms. IKUINA attended the High-Level Segment of the 58th Human Rights Council session and delivered a statement on behalf of the Government of Japan. In her statement, Ms. IKUINA stressed the importance of the international community continuing dialogue and cooperation to protect human rights, and explained Japan’s efforts and policies on various human rights issues. In addition, Ms. IKUINA also expressed Japan’s continued strong commitment to the maintenance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law as a member of the Human Rights Council.

On February 25, Ms. IKUINA met individually with Ms. NAKAMITSU Izumi, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. On February 26, she met with Dr. Robin Geiss, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. In each of these meetings, Ms. IKUINA confirmed a common commitment to continue working closely together.
In addition, on February 25, Ms. IKUINA also met with the Hon. Vijitha HERATH, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and exchanged views on bilateral relations and other diplomatic issues.

Ms. IKUINA held a dialogue with Japanese staff members of international organizations in Geneva, listened to their views, and delivered a message to encourage them in their work.