[Title] Keynote Remarks by Foreign Minister Kamikawa (WPS Session)

1. Introduction (Necessity of "Reintegration")

I would like to thank Ms. Anna Stanislavivna Yurchenko, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, Ms. Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Capital, Ms. Natalia Karbowska, Director on strategic development, Ukrainian Women's Fund, and all others who are here today. I would also like to thank Ms. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister- Minister of Economy of Ukraine, for her video message to this session.

On January 7, I (FM Kamikawa) visited Ukraine as my first stop of the New Year and conveyed directly to President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Shmyhal, and Foreign Minister Kuleba that Japan will continue to strongly support Ukraine.

In Ukraine and Poland, I directly heard the voices of great concern from women and children who are suffering from the conflict. In Europe and North America that I visited thereafter, I discussed how to incorporate the perspective of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) into our support for Ukraine, on which I received broad support and endorsement in each region.

We would like to thank Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), with whom we exchanged views in Sweden, for their recommendations on assistance for Ukraine incorporating WPS perspective for this conference. It is very encouraging to know that our network is expanding and that we have partners all over the world.

Through these exchanges, I now have become convinced of the importance of "reintegration" of the Ukrainian people on three levels.

- The first is family "reintegration". In many Ukrainian families, fathers, sons, and brothers have gone to war, and women and children have been forced to flee to other countries. Separated families must regain a safe and secure environment where they can spend time together again.

- Second is the "reintegration" of communities. In many parts of Ukraine, towns have been destroyed and communities have been scattered. It is important to improve the environment, including urban development, so that people can return to their original, familiar communities and resume their activities.

- Third is the "reintegration" of the entire people of Ukraine. In order for Ukraine to regain its beautiful land and for the country as a whole to achieve vibrant growth, the leadership of women and the power of children, who will bear the future, are indispensable. We must create a better environment where everyone can challenge themselves and play an active role.

2. Three ideas for "reintegration

In order to achieve this major goal of "reintegration", we place emphasis on the following three ideas.

First, we must support the self-sustaining development of the Ukrainian people. From the initial emergency humanitarian assistance to the mid- to- long-term rebuilding of livelihoods, reconstruction, and industrial enhancement phases, we will stand closely with the people of Ukraine including women and children to promote specific initiatives taking into account the WPS perspective.

Second, we will provide support from the public and private sectors working together in all-Japan manner. As Prime Minister Kishida mentioned in the morning session, it is important to take all-Japan efforts through a multi- stakeholder partnership approach, including the private sector and NGOs.

Third, we must work with our partners in the international community, including the G7. Since assuming the office of Foreign Minister last September, I myself, as the chairperson of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, have been working on the issue of Ukraine. I have also held a number of discussions with foreign ministers of other countries regarding the WPS. Based on these efforts, we will continue to work with other countries, international organizations, and civil society, while keeping in mind the coordination with the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference to be held in Germany in June.

3. Japan's WPS-Related Efforts in Support of Ukraine

Japan will continue its efforts to materialize the philosophy of "WPS in Action" and turn it into concrete actions.

As an urgent matter, the supplementary budget for FY2023 approved last year included measures for the protection of women, including healthcare, shelter development, and the protection of victims of gender-based violence (GBV).

In addition, the budget also includes a short and long-term plan to promote women's participation in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction through women's empowerment, as well as support for children's education as an investment in future leaders.

Moreover, today, the Japanese government is announcing that it will be able to issue multiple-entry visas to relatives of displaced persons in Ukraine.

Conclusion

Today's WPS session is the first step to incorporate the WPS perspective more deeply into Japan's assistance to Ukraine.

Today, we are joined in the hall by displaced persons who have left Ukraine and are residing in Japan, as well as by members of Ukraine Mental Health Interaction Center -Himawari- who are supporting the displaced persons. I look forward to a good discussion.

And to take today's discussion to the next step, we are launching a new platform to promote WPS, "WPS HIMAWARI friends network" named after the Ukrainian symbol "Sunflower". By expanding this network internationally, we will move forward the international efforts of WPS in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.

I would like to conclude my speech by asking all of you here to support this initiative and to work together with us as members of this network.