Statement by Minister-Counsellor Mr. Fumito Miyake, on Agenda item5 (b): Ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, at the 25th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
2016/5/25
Chairperson,
Corruption is one of the international community’s pressing challenges. It undermines the rule of law and fosters terrorism and crimes, thereby hampering the pursuit of economic growth and development. For all these reasons, our collective and individual action to fight againt corruption has never been more critical.
Chairperson,
We welcome the outcome and the momentum created by the Anti-Corruption Summit hosted by the United Kingdom on May 12th. Japan, having assumed the presidency of the G7 this year, will emphasize the fight against corruption at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and will submit the “G7 Action to Fight Corruption” as an outcome document of the Summit. By making the most of the synergies between the outcome of the UK Anti-Corruption Summit and that of the G7, we would like to push the anti-corruption agenda forward to the international community.
Chairperson,
The conclusion and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption is imperative for the international community to comprehensively and effectively address the scourge of corruption. Japan is confident that most provisions of the Convention have already been implemented in our domestic laws and we will continue to make every effort to conclude the Convention as early as possible.
Japan welcomes that the second cycle of the review mechanism was launched at the sixth session of the Conference of the State Parties to the UNCAC last year. We are pleased to announce that Japan has decided to support the review mechanism financially through contributions to the UNODC programme. By fully reflecting the lessons learned from the first cycle, we hope the second cycle will be even more effective and efficient.
Chairperson,
The review of the implementation of the Convention is key in identifying technical assistance needs to implement the Convention. Japan has mainly supported the efforts of Southeast Asia in the implementation of the Convention through UNODC. We have also provided capacity building programs through UNAFEI (Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders) and JICA, among others. More specifically, UNAFEI has been conducting international training courses on criminal justice response to corruption since 2000 and Good Governance Seminars for Southeast Asian countries since 2007.
Japan recognizes that international cooperation on asset recovery is a key component to tackle corruption. In particular, we have supported the process of the Arab Forum on Asset Recovery, a framework established in 2012 under the Deauville Partnership. As holder of this year’s G7 presidency, Japan will co-host the 5th Arab Forum on Asset Recovery with Egypt this year. We also welcome proposals for a Global Asset Recovery Forum to be held in 2017, co-hosted by the United States and United Kingdom. We have also contributed to establishing the Asset Recovery Interagency Network in the Asia Pacific region and have actively participated in its activities as a Steering Group Member.
Chairperson,
I would like to conclude by sharing that Japan will host the 14th Crime Congress in 2020, a year that marks the 50th anniversary since Japan hosted the Congress in 1970. As a host country of the next Congress, Japan will continue to play an active role in srengthening crime prevention and criminal justice including the fight against corruption.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Corruption is one of the international community’s pressing challenges. It undermines the rule of law and fosters terrorism and crimes, thereby hampering the pursuit of economic growth and development. For all these reasons, our collective and individual action to fight againt corruption has never been more critical.
Chairperson,
We welcome the outcome and the momentum created by the Anti-Corruption Summit hosted by the United Kingdom on May 12th. Japan, having assumed the presidency of the G7 this year, will emphasize the fight against corruption at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and will submit the “G7 Action to Fight Corruption” as an outcome document of the Summit. By making the most of the synergies between the outcome of the UK Anti-Corruption Summit and that of the G7, we would like to push the anti-corruption agenda forward to the international community.
Chairperson,
The conclusion and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption is imperative for the international community to comprehensively and effectively address the scourge of corruption. Japan is confident that most provisions of the Convention have already been implemented in our domestic laws and we will continue to make every effort to conclude the Convention as early as possible.
Japan welcomes that the second cycle of the review mechanism was launched at the sixth session of the Conference of the State Parties to the UNCAC last year. We are pleased to announce that Japan has decided to support the review mechanism financially through contributions to the UNODC programme. By fully reflecting the lessons learned from the first cycle, we hope the second cycle will be even more effective and efficient.
Chairperson,
The review of the implementation of the Convention is key in identifying technical assistance needs to implement the Convention. Japan has mainly supported the efforts of Southeast Asia in the implementation of the Convention through UNODC. We have also provided capacity building programs through UNAFEI (Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders) and JICA, among others. More specifically, UNAFEI has been conducting international training courses on criminal justice response to corruption since 2000 and Good Governance Seminars for Southeast Asian countries since 2007.
Japan recognizes that international cooperation on asset recovery is a key component to tackle corruption. In particular, we have supported the process of the Arab Forum on Asset Recovery, a framework established in 2012 under the Deauville Partnership. As holder of this year’s G7 presidency, Japan will co-host the 5th Arab Forum on Asset Recovery with Egypt this year. We also welcome proposals for a Global Asset Recovery Forum to be held in 2017, co-hosted by the United States and United Kingdom. We have also contributed to establishing the Asset Recovery Interagency Network in the Asia Pacific region and have actively participated in its activities as a Steering Group Member.
Chairperson,
I would like to conclude by sharing that Japan will host the 14th Crime Congress in 2020, a year that marks the 50th anniversary since Japan hosted the Congress in 1970. As a host country of the next Congress, Japan will continue to play an active role in srengthening crime prevention and criminal justice including the fight against corruption.
Thank you for your kind attention.
The Practical Export Control Workshop was hosted by the Wassenaar Arrangement as part of its 20th Anniversary programs and held at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna on 27 and 28 June 2016. More than 100 government representatives from 46 countries participated in the technically focused Practical Workshop.
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf