Countries & Regions

On June 2, commencing at 8:40 a.m. for around 20 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

 

1. At the outset, praising the role of the United Nations for peace and development in the international community, Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectations for the initiatives of Secretary-General Ban for the reform of the UN, including the reform of the Security Council, an issue on which the Japanese Government places significance. In response, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed profound gratitude for Japan’s initiative to host TICAD V, which contributes not only to African countries but also to the objectives of the UN and offers hope to the African continent, since it shows a vision of win-win relationships to the international community. 

 

2. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also appreciated Japan’s financial contribution to the UN and valued the Japanese peace keeping activities in the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). In response, Prime Minister Abe conveyed that the Japanese Government would be expanding the activity area of its dispatched engineering unit. He also stated that the Japanese Government would be continuing its contribution to the UN peace keeping operations.

 

3. In regard to North Korean nuclear and missile issues, the two shared the view that they could not accept the possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea and that they should be continuing to send the message to North Korea to comply sincerely and fully with the Security Council Resolutions. As to the abduction issue, Prime Minister Abe expressed his determination to resolve the matter completely during his administration, and sought cooperation from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his understanding and support in this regard. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan’s door for dialogue is always open regarding the situation of Northeast Asia. 

 

4. Prime Minister Abe expressed concern for the worsening situation in Syria, and said that Japan would cooperate with the UN toward the second Geneva Conference on Syria and support Ban Ki-moon for contributing to solve the Syria issue.

 

5. Prime Minister Abe then took up human security, which is a key concept for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and post-2015 Development Agenda, and said that a powerful message on human security would be issued in TICADV Yokohama Declaration. Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectations for the leadership of Secretary-General Ban to enhance the implementation of the human security concept by the UN.

 

6. Lastly, Prime Minister Abe asked Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that a larger number of Japanese could be working as the UN staff, and before the end of Courtesy call, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended an invitation to Prime Minister Abe for the UN General Assembly in September.