Statement by Ambassador MINE, Japan

25th August, 2005

 

 

Mr. President,

 

I would like to make a few brief remarks on the “United Nations Conference on Disarmament Issues” I attended last week in Japan.

 

Held each year in a different Japanese local city, this year’s Conference took place in Kyoto on the theme “The United Nations after Six Decades and Renewed Efforts for the Promotion of Disarmament” and was sponsored by the UN DDA and the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and Pacific as well as Kyoto Prefecture and City.   The Conference has multiple objectives, and provides a valuable opportunity for disarmament experts from all four quarters of the globe to assemble to freely discuss matters of concern to the international community related to disarmament.

 

This year’s participants from Japan’s side included high-level government officials, representatives of the major newspapers and NGOs, as well as representatives from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and previous conferences have also included members of the Diet.

 

Allow me to outline the main topics which were broached during the Conference.

 

  • Firstly, the Conference reflected on the last NPT Review Conference and, in the light of its outcome, many participants pointed out the importance of maintaining the credibility and viability of the NPT.

 

  • The topic of the three countries outside the NPT was discussed. Attention was also drawn to the recent US-India agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation.

 

  • Strong expectations were expressed for the attainment of nuclear disarmament and, in the context of non-proliferation, compliance and the role of the IAEA were stressed.

 

  • Iran’s nuclear programme, as well as the DPRK issue, was discussed. Many participants were reluctant to prejudge the outcome of the six party talks due to the complex and difficult nature of the issue.

 

  • The issues of withdrawal and institutional improvements for the NPT and its Review Process were discussed.

 

  • Reform of the whole machinery of the UN was addressed and some participants stressed their expectations for the upcoming UN Summit in New York.

 

  • Finally, small arms issues were also discussed.

 

I believe forums which provide the opportunity to share and exchange a wealth of ideas, such as the UN Conference on Disarmament Issues, are essential to bring relevant parties together to discuss disarmament issues that affect the international community. Japan will continue to support such events, and strongly encourages further efforts toward disarmament and non-proliferation objectives.

 

Thank you.