Marking the UN’s 80th anniversary, Counsellor Miyake noted the strain on the international order and the challenges to multilateralism, while stressing the value of today’s dialogue. Citing the Prime Minister’s General Debate speech (“solidarity over division; tolerance over confrontation”) and the urgency of Security Council reform, he referenced the “UN 80 Initiative” and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening UN functions and pursuing multilateral diplomacy that serves both national interest and global public goods.
Reporter: Koki Imon.
For more detailed contents of this meeting, please see here..
Full Statement (English Translation)
(Translated faithfully from the Japanese text above.)
“Thank you very much for inviting me to this occasion. Amid the UN’s 80th anniversary, as many pointed out today, the international situation is changing significantly. The existing international order is being challenged, and multilateralism is facing difficulties.
Even under such circumstances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers it highly significant to have a forum like this. I carefully listened to the various views presented today. Thank you very much.
At the General Debate during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September, then Prime Minister Ishiba posed the question, ‘Is the UN currently fulfilling the role it ought to play?’ He also called for ‘solidarity over division’ and ‘tolerance over confrontation.’ In the same speech, he emphasized the importance of Security Council reform. We regard it as highly significant that the ‘Pact for the Future’ adopted last September acknowledges the urgent need for such reform.
Against this backdrop, this year, on the UN’s 80th anniversary, the Secretary-General’s ‘UN 80 Initiative’ is under way. From the perspective of building a UN suitable for the 21st century, the Government recognizes this as an apposite initiative to enhance the UN’s efficiency and effectiveness. As Director Nemoto mentioned earlier, 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s UN membership.
The Government believes this is an opportunity for UN reform for both Japan and the international community. We intend to leverage this momentum and work steadfastly to strengthen the UN’s functions—including Security Council reform—so that the Organization can fulfill its founding purpose: ‘the maintenance of international peace and security.’
Going forward, the Government will continue to prioritize multilateral diplomacy centered on the UN. Based on the various opinions, suggestions, and guidance we received today, we aim to protect Japan’s national interests while proactively contributing, as a major player in the international community, to the realization and maintenance of international peace and security as well as to addressing global challenges.
Not only today’s discussion but also the many insights and proposals we have received from the World Federalist Parliamentary Committee of Japan will be taken into account as the Government proceeds. I would appreciate your continued guidance. Let me conclude by wishing the Committee even greater success and development. Thank you very much.”
