[Title] TICAD Ministerial Meeting 2024: Plenary Session 2 (Peace and Stability) Statement by Mr. FUKAZAWA Yoichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

1. Introduction

In Session 2, we would like to discuss innovative efforts to "ensure human

dignity and human security" that incorporate greater roles for women and youth. Let me begin by presenting three perspectives that I consider important for this discussion.

2. Mainstreaming of WPS for peace and stability

The first is the mainstreaming of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) for peace

and stability. Japan believes that women's participation in peace processes and in disaster and climate change responses is critical to achieving sustainable peace. For example, Japan's support for displaced women in Nigeria in collaboration with UN Women has produced tangible results in terms of women's participation and self-reliance through acquiring the means to earn a living.

In addition, an initiative advocating greater roles for women in peacemaking on the Horn of Africa based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, has been launched to provide trainings to women at the community level to take part in peacebuilding efforts in Africa.

We hope to work with the AU, individual African countries, and others to extend these positive examples to other countries and promote WPS-related initiatives in various parts of Africa.

3. Humanitarian, developmental and peace collaboration that leverages innovation

The second perspective is humanitarian, developmental, and peace collaboration through the use of innovation. Achieving sustainable peace, a prerequisite for ensuring human security, requires initiatives that help prevent conflicts and address root causes, such as ensuring the livelihoods of people and local communities, including refugees and displaced persons, providing access to social services, and building trust in governments.

For example, the Japanese general chemical manufacturer Asahi Kasei and an Italian luxury fabric brand are working with the UNDP in Mali to provide dyeing workplaces, fabrics, and materials that take health and working conditions into

consideration, helping to improve working environments and the incomes of dyeing artisans. The two companies are exploring cooperation through public- private partnerships, including the creation of an innovative financing model in which a portion of the proceeds from fabric sold in Mali is donated to UNDP for use in its projects.

Japan is also working to reconstruct and rehabilitate communities in conflict areas by extending into Africa a platform for clearing landmines and unexploded ordinance that provides demining technologies and know-how through cooperation between JICA and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre.

4. Africa's own efforts for peace and stability

The third perspective is Africa's own efforts toward peace and stability. Good

governance and a firmer rule of law within Africa itself are essential not only for attaining peace and stability in Africa, but also for solving social issues and achieving economic growth. Since TICAD 8, Japan has trained more than 3,000 personnel in the fields of justice and public administration.

Japan also bolsters peace operations in Africa by supporting capacity building through a PKO training center in Africa, the AU Peace Fund, the UN Triangular Partnership Programme, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

Finally, UN Security Council reform is crucial to better reflect African voices when seeking peace and stability in Africa. Japan and Africa shared the view on the need to expand both permanent and non-permanent Security Council membership, so let me conclude my remarks by calling on everyone to work together to strengthen the functions of the UN and the Security Council with the intent to take concrete action.