STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. TOSHIO SANO
AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY
HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF JAPAN
TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 68th SESSION
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
THEMATIC DEBATE: CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS
29 OCTOBER 2013, NEW YORK
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to
begin by addressing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which was undoubtedly an
epoch-making achievement in the history of conventional arms control. Japan,
along with other States and civil society, tirelessly worked throughout the
last seven years for this conclusion. Therefore, we are delighted that the
Treaty became a reality due to our collective and unwavering efforts. Moreover,
it is remarkable that 114 states have already signed and eight States have
ratified the Treaty within the last six months. This demonstrates the resolute
and expansive support from the international community towards the Treaty we
have adopted.
Now, since we
have a strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty, the global arms trade is no longer unrestricted
or hidden, and we are committed to prevent these arms from being transferred
into the wrong hands. To ensure our dedication, the arms trade must operate in
a transparent manner which will be subject to scrutiny. To this end, the Treaty
needs to enter into force as soon as possible and Japan will do its best to conclude
the Treaty as early as possible.
Japan will
continue its role towards an early entry into force of the Treaty, the establishment
of an effective Secretariat, and, above all, promoting international efforts to
better regulate the global arms trade and combat the illicit transfer of conventional
weapons. We also call on all States to extend their support to the
draft-resolution L.4 on the ATT, which was submitted to this Committee by the seven
co-authors, namely, Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Kenya and
the United Kingdom.
Mr. Chairman,
Japan views the adoption of the ATT provides a positive impetus to the Programme
of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Although the political commitments in the PoA regarding small arms
transfer has now evolved to a legal commitment, the PoA remains an important
tool to address their illicit trade, because the PoA, together with the International
Tracing Instrument, covers a wider range of issues, including marking, tracing
and stockpile management. They require our continued attention and it is
crucial for the UN to remain fully engaged on these issues.
The Second
Review Conference ended successfully with a strong outcome document. While there
was no meeting last year, we need to start preparing for the next step according
to the roadmap agreed to at the Review Conference. Taking into account that twelve
years have passed since the adoption of the PoA, we need to extend our focus not
only to thorough review of the activities during the past years to identify
issues to be addressed, but also to further developing concrete measures to
curb small arms-related problems. Japan is
keen to discharge its responsibility in the future PoA process, including the forthcoming
Biennial Meeting of States to be held in June 2014. We welcome the designation
of Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan as the Chair of the fifth Biennial
Meeting of States and look forward to working closely with him as well as other
States and civil society for the success of the meeting. We call on all Member
States to extend their support to the annual resolution on small arms and light
weapons drafted by Colombia, Japan and South Africa, so that it will be adopted
again by consensus.
Mr. Chairman,
Anti-personnel landmines as
well as cluster munitions are
major causes of serious humanitarian harm, and it
is integral we persist in our efforts to tackle the problems associated with
these weapons. The use of these weapons by any actor is entirely
unacceptable since they not only pose grave dangers and harm to civilians
during and after conflicts, but can also leave a lasting socio-economic impact
for many years or even decades. We are deeply concerned by the recent reports that anti-personnel
landmines and cluster munitions were
used. This leads us to the belief that it is essential that these two conventions become
universal. Through the implementation of treaty obligations such as stockpile
destruction, it can be assured that anti-personnel landmines and cluster
munitions will never be used in the future. I would like to reiterate Japan’s
call to all those States that are not parties to these two conventions to
accede to them as soon as possible and join our collective efforts to end the
suffering caused by these weapons.
Japan welcomes the recent
decision
on the establishment of an Implementation
Support Unit for the Convention
on Cluster Munitions at the Fourth
Meeting of States Parties in Lusaka. We hope that the transition from the interim to the formal
ISU will take place smoothly, and the ISU will efficiently function as a home
for the Convention and to assist States Parties where support is needed. Taking
this opportunity, I would like to thank Switzerland for its generous offer to provide
in-kind and financial contributions
to the ISU.
Japan also welcomes Mozambique’s
decision to host the 3rd Review Conference of the Anti-personnel
Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) in Maputo next year. Japan will actively
participate in the discussions and assures Mozambique its full support and
cooperation for a successful Conference.
Since 1998, Japan has provided assistance of approximately
530 million US dollars for mine action to 49 countries and regions. These include clearance
activities of landmines, cluster munitions and Unexploded Explosive Ordnance, risk education and victim assistance projects. Japan renews its commitment to continue its support for affected countries in need. We encourage
other states in a position to do so to join in the global effort to eliminate
the threat and socio-economic impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Finally, Mr.
Chairman,
Japan recognizes growing interests, in the
international community, in the issues regarding fully autonomous weapons. We
think it useful to start discussion about basic elements related to those
weapons, including their definition. CCW, where military, legal and
other arms control experts are
involved, could provide an appropriate venue to address these issues. Japan
looks forward to discussing these issues with other interested States
and civil society.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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