Prime Minister Kishida's Statement at the Security Council High Level Open Debate on "Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism: maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine"

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National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Prime Minister Kishida's Statement at the Security Council High Level Open Debate on "Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism: maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine"

[Place]

[Date] September 20, 2023

[Source] Cabinet Public Relations Office, Cabinet Secretariat

[Notes] Provisional translation

[Full text]

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to commend the leadership of Albanian Prime Minister Rama for convening this High Level Security Council meeting on multilateralism and the situation in Ukraine. I also welcome the participation of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

Today, the international order based on the rule of law is facing an unprecedented crisis and challenge. It is the Charter of the United Nations that is the foundation of the international order. The Charter provides that the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. We are gathered here today because of the infringement of the rule of law by one of the permanent members of this Council.

Mr. President,

I visited Kyiv and Bucha in March of this year and also went to the site of the tragedy. I will never forget the heartbreaking feelings I had at that time. I renew my determination that Japan stands with Ukraine.

We condemn in the strongest terms Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter.

The aggression must be stopped right now, and the troops must be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally. Any attempt to unilaterally change the peacefully established status of territories by force or coercion must not be tolerated anywhere in the world.

Irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, and the occupation and militarization of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant pose a threat to world peace and stability. Russia's nuclear threats, let alone its use of nuclear weapons, are unacceptable.

Abuse of the veto power to obstruct the decisions of the Security Council and undermine its credibility cannot be accepted by the international community.

Mr. President,

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated concerns of a "rule of lawlessness" around the world. We must not allow the creation of a second or third Ukraine.

It is essential to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine conforming to the principles of the UN Charter in order to protect an international order based on the rule of law.

Japan supports President Zelenskyy's sincere efforts to uphold the basic principles of the UN Charter in his Peace Formula.

In Hiroshima in May, I myself, together with leaders of a wide range of countries, including Ukraine, affirmed the importance of the principles of the Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Following these discussions, two meetings of National Security Advisors on Ukraine were held. Japan welcomes the participation of many countries, including the so-called Global South, and will continue to make a positive contribution.

Mr. President,

We must not forget that the aggression against Ukraine has caused serious problems such as refugees, food and energy insecurity, and threats to nuclear safety, and has led to suffering for many people around the world. Japan is committed to working together with other nations to promote efforts to support the afflicted people. Japan strives to promote "human-centered international cooperation" overcoming differences in regimes and values in order to protect "human dignity".

Mr. President,

There has never been a time when effective multilateralism, the theme of today's debate, is more needed than now.

We must overcome numerous calamities, including the aggression against Ukraine, and realize "multilateralism rooted in a spirit of solidarity."

Bearing this in mind, I myself have engaged in a series of discussions with the leaders of various countries. Japan has also organized Security Council Open Debate on "rule of law" and "peacebuilding" during its Council presidency to listen to the diverse voices of the international community.

Japan will further strengthen its efforts to resolve issues concerning international peace and security, including through preventive diplomacy, while upholding the rule of law under multilateralism.

Mr. President,

Now is the time to return to the unshakable principles that we, the Member States, have built up since 1945, including the UN Charter, and work toward a world of cooperation, not division and confrontation.

To this end, strengthening the functions of the UN is an urgent task. The Security Council must be enlarged in both its permanent and non-permanent seats to better reflect the realities of today's world, including Africa.

We must now take concrete action, looking ahead to the Summit of the Future and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. It is time to move forward to realize the United Nations as a platform that listens to people facing difficulties and works with them to confront challenges together, aiming for a world that respects human dignity. Thank you very much for your attention.