STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. MARI
AMANO
AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND
PLENIPOTENTIARY
HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF
JAPAN
TO THE CONFERENCE ON
DISARMAMENT
AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE
67TH SESSION
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
GENERAL DEBATE
9 October 2012, NEW YORK
Mr.
Chairman,
At the outset, I would like
to extend my congratulations to you, Ambassador Percaya, on your assumption of
the chairmanship to the First Committee of the United Nations General
Assembly. My delegation is well
acquainted with you through your highly regarded work in Geneva, and we are
pleased that we can once again engage in disarmament efforts under your
leadership. We assure you of our utmost
cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
For achieving progress in
disarmament, it is valuable to reinvigorate our determination each year in the
First Committee in light of the year’s developments. With this in mind, if we look back at the
twelve months since the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly, we
can see there have been a number of advancements and I would like to take this
opportunity to highlight a few of them.
In April and May the First
Preparatory Committee to the 2015 NPT Review Conference was successfully held
in Vienna. This was the first PrepCom
since the adoption of the groundbreaking NPT Action Plan in 2010. As an outcome to the Prepcom, both the
nuclear- and non-nuclear weapon states gained a common understanding about the
necessity of fully implementing the Action Plan towards the 2015 Review
Conference.
In order to draw closer to a
world without nuclear weapons, it is patently clear that nuclear disarmament
efforts by the nuclear-weapon states are of paramount importance. In this context, we would like to welcome
again the P5 Conference that was held this June in Washington D.C. We strongly hope that this P5 process produces
tangible outcomes in the future.
In addition, Japan regards
the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free-zones as important efforts that
contribute to not only the stability of regions but to the entire international
community. In this connection, we hope
that the nuclear-weapon states sign at an early date the Protocol of the Southeast
Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty. We
also wish for the successful convening of the 2012 Conference on the
establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other
weapons of mass destruction which was agreed at the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
To that end, we believe that states
outside the region can also contribute to the goal of establishing such a zone
in the region.
Mr.
Chairman,
Not only are the
nuclear-weapon states undertaking disarmament efforts, but the
non-nuclear-weapon states are also active in this area. The NPDI, a cross-regional group of countries
that includes my own, held its fifth ministerial meeting here in New York last
month. Through such meetings, the NPDI is
deepening discussions at a high-level with the idea of steadily implementing
the 2010 NPT Action Plan and making practical proposals for mid- to long-term
nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
In particular, the NPDI places emphasis on improving transparency as an
indispensable prerequisite for advancing nuclear disarmament, and we intend to
carry on our efforts in support of confidence-building measures among the
nuclear-weapon states.
As a guidepost to these disarmament
efforts by all states, this year Japan will submit once again its resolution
entitled “United action towards the total
elimination of nuclear weapons”. We strongly hope that our resolution
gains as many co-sponsors and supporters as possible.
Mr.
Chairman,
Despite these positive
developments, we are still not satisfied.
Specifically, Japan was deeply concerned that this year again the
Conference on Disarmament failed to meet the expectations of the international
community, including the UN General Assembly, by its inability to commence
substantive work, especially the negotiation of an FMCT. For attaining a peaceful and secure world
free of nuclear weapons, Japan recognizes that step-by-step nuclear disarmament
efforts are essential and that an FMCT is the next logical step. As a venue for those negotiations, we believe
that the CD is the most appropriate place.
However, given the lack of movement in the CD, we think it is necessary
for this session of the First Committee to examine ways to overcome the
impasse. As such, Japan strongly
supports the efforts of Canada, an active NPDI member, to make concrete
proposals in order to push forward FMCT negotiations.
Mr.
Chairman,
Another continuing concern to
the international community is the growing risk of nuclear proliferation. Particularly, the continuation of the DPRK’s
nuclear and missile development programs, including its uranium enrichment
work, is a serious violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. These activities are harmful to the stability
and security of not only the Asia region but to the international community as
a whole. Japan urges the DPRK to comply
with all its international obligations and commitments, including the Security
Council resolutions and the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six Party Talks. We once more strongly urge that it completely
abandons in a verifiable and irreversible manner all its nuclear weapon and
missile development programs.
Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of all countries complying with
the relevant Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK. The Iranian nuclear issue is also a grave
concern to the whole international community.
Japan urges Iran to comply with the demands of the relevant resolutions
of the Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. We also call upon Iran to immediately take
substantive actions to restore the confidence of the international community.
Mr.
Chairman,
Disarmament is not limited to
nuclear issues, but there are also intensive efforts being directed toward
conventional weapons, especially for the realization of an Arms Trade
Treaty. In this regard, it was
disappointing that the July UN Conference could not adopt a legally-binding
instrument. Nonetheless, we are
currently at the threshold of achieving a landmark new arms control treaty. Therefore, it is necessary to conclude negotiations
at an early date based on the existing draft treaty text. As one of the co-authors of the ATT
resolution, Japan will continue to actively and constructively contribute to
these negotiations.
With regards to small arms,
Japan welcomes the consensus adoption of the Outcome Document at the Second
Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small
Arms and Light Weapons. We are confident
that this document will become the guideline for concrete actions over the next
six years.
Turning our attention now to
the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, Japan welcomes the adoption of the
Final Document at the Review Conference in December last year. As a member of the JACKSNNZ group, Japan will
continue to make vigorous efforts for strengthening the implementation of the convention
while focusing on responding to developments in science and technology and
dual-use issues.
Mr.
Chairman,
In
order to advance disarmament, it is indispensable to deepen understanding on
disarmament and non-proliferation among a wide-range of people regardless of
borders or generations, especially younger people who will be the leaders of
tomorrow. To this end, Japan is continuing its mission to pass on to the next
generation its experience of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons
use. For example, we held in August jointly
with the United Nations University "the Global Forum on Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation Education" in the city of Nagasaki. With the firm
conviction towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons, Japan is
determined to carry on its efforts for promoting disarmament and non-proliferation
education to its citizens and the world.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.