Statement by Mr. Yoshinobu Hiraishi

Minister, Chargé d'affaires a.i.,

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

 

(Transparency In Armaments)

 

Geneva, 23 August 2006

 

At the outset, let me offer you, Ambassador Štefánek, my delegation’s warmest congratulations on your assumption of the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament at this important time, when the Conference is displaying such positive signs of progress.  We have the utmost faith in your ability to steer us towards this year’s successful conclusion.

 

Mr. President

In line with this year’s endeavor by the P6 to effectively organize our work, we welcome the holding of structured debates on transparency in armaments, also known as TIA.  Even though Japan is convinced that the immediate commencement of negotiations on an FMCT is the main priority of the Conference on Disarmament, this does not mean that other items on the agenda can be ignored.  Certainly, enhancing openness and  transparency in armaments is conducive to the prevention of arms races and excessive arms build-ups, and therefore, the issue of TIA is recognized as critically important in relation to the promotion of international disarmament.  Japan intends to actively participate and contribute to these discussions.

 

Mr. President

When the issue of TIA is brought up for consideration the contribution of the UN Conventional Arms Register can never be discounted.  It was established by “the resolution on transparency in armaments”, submitted by Japan in cooperation with the then EC in 1991 to the UN General Assembly.  In recent years, more than 110 countries register every year, and as of 2004, 170 countries had registered at least once.  According to Ambassador Donowaki, who is a well respected expert in this field and gave a presentation at the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) meeting on the Register this year, approximately 97% of the world’s arms transactions are made transparent as a result of the participation by major arms exporting states.  In light of the current state of international security, nation states are prone to view military secrecy as paramount to enhancing national security. However, the fact that so many UN member states participate in the Register indicates the idea is taking hold that “greater mutual security can be achieved through improved transparency in armaments”.

 

Likewise, the meetings of the GGE on the UN Conventional Arms Register have steadily generated a great number of welcomed accomplishments.  The inclusion of MANPADS as a new subcategory to “Missile and missile launchers”, and agreement to a standardized reporting form for small arms and light weapons are just a couple of recent examples of these accomplishments.

 

In this manner, through the review of the Register, its reliability is being improved as a confidence building measure.  Furthermore, while welcoming increases in the number of participating countries, we must continue to strive for the universalization of the Register.  Given that the Register is a confidence building measure, we must literally build confidence through the ongoing involvement of all UN member states.

 

Mr. President

Efforts towards the creation of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) within the UN framework should also be given due attention.  Japan along with six other countries – Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Kenya and the United Kingdom – have circulated a draft resolution on an ATT.  Urging all nations to take responsibility for their arms transfers, the ATT aims to reduce unregulated and irresponsible weapons transfers.  Indeed, assuring the responsible transfer of arms through the ATT, and registering them in accordance with the UN Register are mutually reinforcing measures, contributing to the strengthening of confidence building, therefore, enhancing both global and regional security.

 

Mr. President

As I stated, we have witnessed steady progress in international efforts in the areas of TIA.  This indicates an increasing international awareness about the importance of this issue.  However, I would like to remind you that these efforts and initiatives have been taken outside of the CD.  Within the CD, TIA has been addressed as an agenda item.,   Yet, over the last few years there have been no substantial discussions. 

 

Given the current unfavorable international security environment, do we have the luxury to leave this situation as it is?  Certainly not.  While acknowledging that the CD is a multilateral negotiating body, it surely can and should play an active and central role in international endeavors to improve TIA.   Therefore we should look at the CD’s role with fresh eyes and explore how the CD could contribute to the further promotion of  transparency in armaments.   

 

The first and most important step for this purpose is to seriously study and follow the on-going activities made at the global, regional and national levels, and to identify problems which require more action.  Also the establishment, in the future, of a feed-back mechanism on the achievements of each forum would be extremely helpful for our objectives.  

 

In this regard, Mr. President,  I appreciated the statement by Ambassador Moritán, the GGE chairperson to the UN Register.  Updating the Conference directly  about the GGE’s achievements, progress, and initiatives on TIA within the UN framework will greatly assist our examination of transparency.  We hope that this practice can be continued after the conclusion of every future GGE meeting.

 

Thank you