Statement by H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano, Permanent Representative, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan at the 44th Session of the Industrial Development Board
2016/11/22
Madame President,
I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election as President of the forty-forth session of the Industrial Development Board. I am sure that this session will be successful under your able leadership. You have full support of our delegation. I would also like to thank the outgoing acting Chairman, Ambassador Song Young-wan of the Republic of Korea, together with his Bureau, for their dedicated work.
Madame President,
This week we are celebrating UNIDO’s 50th Anniversary and the beginning of a new chapter of the Organization. We had a wonderful celebration yesterday. As has been witnessed at yesterday’s session, the international community’s demand for UNIDO’s activities is steadily increasing. Most recently, UNIDO provided valuable input to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Japan commends UNIDO’s policy engagement in promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID), and its strong commitment towards the 2030 Agenda. The rise of voluntary contributions from Member States confirms UNIDO’s strength as an organization addressing current issues on the global agenda.
In the context of African development, the Government of Japan appreciates UNIDO’s active participation in TICAD VI, which was held in Africa for the first time this past August. We thank Director General Li Yong for contributing to the conference’s success. UNIDO will moreover prove its value as a promoter for sustainable development in the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III).
Madame President,
Japan has supported UNIDO as a member of the IDB and PBC since the Organization’s establishment. We had the pleasure of introducing two of our projects as examples of good practice at the Donor Meeting held earlier this afternoon. Allow me to briefly share further examples of our recent collaboration.
This year the Government of Japan disbursed over 12 million US Dollars in voluntary contributions, on top of its regular budget share, to a wide range of projects. In the case of refugee related assistance, we aim to protect and empower individuals based on the human security approach. In line with the theme of “ensuring that no-one is left behind”, we support the social integration of women and youth in vulnerable areas in the Middle East.
We also attach great importance to the field of energy and environment. This morning I signed two agreements with Director General Li Yong. The first commits an additional one million US Dollars to the expansion of the low-carbon low emission projects into the field of solar power. The second contributes more than 14 million US Dollars to UNIDO to assist African countries in upgrading their energy sector through advanced Japanese geothermal power generation technology. We are pleased that Japanese technology and know-how contribute towards increasing access to sustainable energy in developing countries. We would like to see UNIDO’s role as a platform for donor-recipient partnerships enhanced.
Based on the positive outcomes of our collaboration, I am pleased to share with you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan placed UNIDO among the highest ranked organizations in the evaluation of international organizations in two consecutive years.
Madame President,
In relation to the management of the Organization, I would like to briefly touch upon the following points UNIDO is expected to pay attention to.
First, UNIDO requires a sound financial base grounded on the regular budget. Late payments of assessed contributions delay UNIDO’s activities. Japan thus supports the Secretariat in urging Member States and former Member States that have not yet paid their assessed contributions to do so in a timely manner, in the interest of all.
Secondly, it is important that UNIDO nurture its strong ties with Member States. We are seriously concerned by the continued trend of withdrawal of Member States from the viewpoint of universality and financial stability of the organization. We commend Director General Li Yong’s firm dedication to the ongoing organizational reform. We wish UNIDO to further enhance its dialogue with Member States with urgency, in order to assess both recipient and donor states’ needs. We rely on the Director General’s strong leadership in this regard.
Lastly, Technical Cooperation activities should remain effective and provide tangible results. The new partnership approach has the potential to enhance traditional TC activities. We look forward to the mid-term review of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) scheduled for 2017. We hope that the lessons learned will lead to a higher impact of UNIDO’s activities, and optimal utilization of available resources under the new field structure.
Madame President,
To conclude, the beginning of a new era comes with both opportunities and challenges. We hope that UNIDO will respond to the international community’s expectations, and solidify its position as a key promoter of ISID. Japan is committed to work together with UNIDO for a sustainable future.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election as President of the forty-forth session of the Industrial Development Board. I am sure that this session will be successful under your able leadership. You have full support of our delegation. I would also like to thank the outgoing acting Chairman, Ambassador Song Young-wan of the Republic of Korea, together with his Bureau, for their dedicated work.
Madame President,
This week we are celebrating UNIDO’s 50th Anniversary and the beginning of a new chapter of the Organization. We had a wonderful celebration yesterday. As has been witnessed at yesterday’s session, the international community’s demand for UNIDO’s activities is steadily increasing. Most recently, UNIDO provided valuable input to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Japan commends UNIDO’s policy engagement in promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID), and its strong commitment towards the 2030 Agenda. The rise of voluntary contributions from Member States confirms UNIDO’s strength as an organization addressing current issues on the global agenda.
In the context of African development, the Government of Japan appreciates UNIDO’s active participation in TICAD VI, which was held in Africa for the first time this past August. We thank Director General Li Yong for contributing to the conference’s success. UNIDO will moreover prove its value as a promoter for sustainable development in the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III).
Madame President,
Japan has supported UNIDO as a member of the IDB and PBC since the Organization’s establishment. We had the pleasure of introducing two of our projects as examples of good practice at the Donor Meeting held earlier this afternoon. Allow me to briefly share further examples of our recent collaboration.
This year the Government of Japan disbursed over 12 million US Dollars in voluntary contributions, on top of its regular budget share, to a wide range of projects. In the case of refugee related assistance, we aim to protect and empower individuals based on the human security approach. In line with the theme of “ensuring that no-one is left behind”, we support the social integration of women and youth in vulnerable areas in the Middle East.
We also attach great importance to the field of energy and environment. This morning I signed two agreements with Director General Li Yong. The first commits an additional one million US Dollars to the expansion of the low-carbon low emission projects into the field of solar power. The second contributes more than 14 million US Dollars to UNIDO to assist African countries in upgrading their energy sector through advanced Japanese geothermal power generation technology. We are pleased that Japanese technology and know-how contribute towards increasing access to sustainable energy in developing countries. We would like to see UNIDO’s role as a platform for donor-recipient partnerships enhanced.
Based on the positive outcomes of our collaboration, I am pleased to share with you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan placed UNIDO among the highest ranked organizations in the evaluation of international organizations in two consecutive years.
Madame President,
In relation to the management of the Organization, I would like to briefly touch upon the following points UNIDO is expected to pay attention to.
First, UNIDO requires a sound financial base grounded on the regular budget. Late payments of assessed contributions delay UNIDO’s activities. Japan thus supports the Secretariat in urging Member States and former Member States that have not yet paid their assessed contributions to do so in a timely manner, in the interest of all.
Secondly, it is important that UNIDO nurture its strong ties with Member States. We are seriously concerned by the continued trend of withdrawal of Member States from the viewpoint of universality and financial stability of the organization. We commend Director General Li Yong’s firm dedication to the ongoing organizational reform. We wish UNIDO to further enhance its dialogue with Member States with urgency, in order to assess both recipient and donor states’ needs. We rely on the Director General’s strong leadership in this regard.
Lastly, Technical Cooperation activities should remain effective and provide tangible results. The new partnership approach has the potential to enhance traditional TC activities. We look forward to the mid-term review of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) scheduled for 2017. We hope that the lessons learned will lead to a higher impact of UNIDO’s activities, and optimal utilization of available resources under the new field structure.
Madame President,
To conclude, the beginning of a new era comes with both opportunities and challenges. We hope that UNIDO will respond to the international community’s expectations, and solidify its position as a key promoter of ISID. Japan is committed to work together with UNIDO for a sustainable future.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.