Statement by H.E. Mr. Masakazu HAMACHI, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Japan
At the First International Pledging
Conference for the Implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
2 March 2016, Geneva, Switzerland
Her Excellency Ms.
Marta Maurás, Ambassador of Chile,
Distinguished
participants,
Ladies and
gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to give my appreciation to Chile,
Presidency of the 15th meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, for their initiative in organizing this important
event.
In order to address
various problems posed by anti-personnel mines and with a view to ensuring
human security; Japan, as a state-party, has made strenuous efforts to strengthen
mine action that promotes activities such as those for mine clearance and
victim assistance. I am pleased to announce that since 1998, Japan has donated
approximately 622 million US Dollars to mine action in 50 countries and
regions.
Madam Chair,
Japan highly values
an important role that the Convention has played in addressing the issues
caused by anti-personnel mines. Since the entry-into-force of the convention in
1999, States Parties to the convention have implemented their treaty
obligations, thereby steadily destroying their stockpiled mines and clearing
their mined areas.
However, there
remains much to be done toward a mine-free world. The international community
once again has to underscore the need to intensify overall efforts to that end,
in particular, through the full implementation of the convention.
Madam Chair,
Japan attaches
great importance to the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), and is of the view
that its effective operation is instrumental in promoting adherence to the
convention by States Parties.
With this in mind, Japan
would like to express an intention to contribute approximately 79,700 Swiss
Francs to the ISU out of the budget for fiscal 2016, subject to the domestic
approval process at the Parliament.
Finally, Madam
Chair, I would like to take this opportunity to urge as many States Parties as
possible to join this endeavor to pledge financial resources to the ISU.
I thank you, Madam
Chair.
(end)