Statement by H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano, Permanent Representative, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna at the Forty-Fourth Session of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO
2015/6/18
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Ayoko of Nigeria for his dedicated and able chairmanship of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. I would also like to thank Dr. Lassina Zerbo, the Executive Secretary, for his opening remarks. And I would also like to welcome Cuba as an observer.
[Introduction of a Biennial Budget Mechanism]
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, I would like to make a few remarks on the introduction of a biennial budget mechanism. We welcome the recommendation of the Advisory Group (AG) and Working Group A (WGA) for this purpose. We consider that the proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules are appropriate. We strongly support the introduction of the biennial budget from the 2016-2017 budgetary cycle. The biennial budget mechanism is expected to provide for a more efficient use of the budgetary resources, and we believe that it will be one of the manifestations of the maturity of the CTBTO.
[Initial Draft 2016-2017 Programme and Budget]
Mr. Chairman,
Let me turn to the item of the initial draft 2016-2017 Programme and Budget. My delegation would like to commend the Executive Secretary’s initiatives of setting the budgetary ceiling for each Major Programme at 95% of the 2015 budget level and of optimizing the budget on the basis of prioritization of projects, as well as creating new annual savings of US$1.5 million. Still, our national position on the budgetary level of all international organizations remains the same, and we would like to request the Provisional Technical Secretariat to consider and explore the possibility of achieving further efficiency in the budget.
[Introduction of a Multiyear Funding Modality]
Mr. Chairman,
As regards a multiyear funding modality, I would like to reiterate our support for it with the proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules to introduce this mechanism as an essential tool for the long-term build-up and operation of the verification regime. The proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules are expected to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability to States Signatories. Therefore, we support the establishment of the four proposed multiyear funds and their implementations from the 2016-2017 Budget.
[Procedures of appointment of the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Working Groups A and B]
Mr. Chairman,
Let me touch upon the long standing issue of procedures for appointment of the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the subsidiary bodies.
We very much appreciate Ambassador Ayoko’s tireless efforts for reaching consensus on the procedures. We believe that we have come close to reaching consensus and strongly appeal to all the States Signatories to show their maximum flexibility to find consensus with a view to agreeing on the draft procedures at this session of the Preparatory Commission.
[Promotion of Entry Into Force of the Treaty]
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to mention several important points related to the promotion of early entry into force of the Treaty. The Article XIV Conference will be held in New York on 29 September this year as has been announced. In order to enhance political momentum toward the early entry into force and universalization of the Treaty, Japan, as a designated co-chair country of the conference, has the pleasure and honour to exercise this function together with Kazakhstan, and would like to call for ministerial attendance from all the States Signatories to the conference.
Almost 20 years after the opening for signature of the Treaty, we would like to make the Final Declaration of the conference as robust as possible. In this regard, we welcome that States Signatories have actively submitted their comments and engaged in the discussion. Let me assure you that we will make every effort together with our Kazakhstan colleagues to reach consensus on a positive and balanced declaration.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to also mention that Japan will host the Group of Eminent Persons’ (GEM) meeting in Hiroshima on 24 and 25 August and the opening high-level session attended by GEM members and participants of the UN Conference on Disarmament Issues on 26 August.
[Appointments]
Mr. Chairman,
On appointments of officers, Japan supports the reappointment of Sir Michael Weston, who has done excellent work, as the Chairperson of the Advisory Group. Japan also supports the extension of the term of Mr. Oleg Rozhkov, Director of the On-Site Inspection Division, who has done excellent work including his dedicated work on the 2014 Integrated Field Exercise.
[20 Year Anniversary of the Treaty]
Mr. Chairman,
Finally, my delegation supports the initiative of Ambassador Ayoko of creating the open-ended working group to discuss the 20 year anniversary of the Treaty. Taking this opportunity, I would like to remind all States Signatories of the side event for the 20 year anniversary that Spain and Japan, with the cooperation of other missions, will organize at 14:00 today at the same venue here at Board Room C. Everyone interested is welcome to join the event.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Ayoko of Nigeria for his dedicated and able chairmanship of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. I would also like to thank Dr. Lassina Zerbo, the Executive Secretary, for his opening remarks. And I would also like to welcome Cuba as an observer.
[Introduction of a Biennial Budget Mechanism]
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, I would like to make a few remarks on the introduction of a biennial budget mechanism. We welcome the recommendation of the Advisory Group (AG) and Working Group A (WGA) for this purpose. We consider that the proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules are appropriate. We strongly support the introduction of the biennial budget from the 2016-2017 budgetary cycle. The biennial budget mechanism is expected to provide for a more efficient use of the budgetary resources, and we believe that it will be one of the manifestations of the maturity of the CTBTO.
[Initial Draft 2016-2017 Programme and Budget]
Mr. Chairman,
Let me turn to the item of the initial draft 2016-2017 Programme and Budget. My delegation would like to commend the Executive Secretary’s initiatives of setting the budgetary ceiling for each Major Programme at 95% of the 2015 budget level and of optimizing the budget on the basis of prioritization of projects, as well as creating new annual savings of US$1.5 million. Still, our national position on the budgetary level of all international organizations remains the same, and we would like to request the Provisional Technical Secretariat to consider and explore the possibility of achieving further efficiency in the budget.
[Introduction of a Multiyear Funding Modality]
Mr. Chairman,
As regards a multiyear funding modality, I would like to reiterate our support for it with the proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules to introduce this mechanism as an essential tool for the long-term build-up and operation of the verification regime. The proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules are expected to ensure appropriate transparency and accountability to States Signatories. Therefore, we support the establishment of the four proposed multiyear funds and their implementations from the 2016-2017 Budget.
[Procedures of appointment of the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Working Groups A and B]
Mr. Chairman,
Let me touch upon the long standing issue of procedures for appointment of the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the subsidiary bodies.
We very much appreciate Ambassador Ayoko’s tireless efforts for reaching consensus on the procedures. We believe that we have come close to reaching consensus and strongly appeal to all the States Signatories to show their maximum flexibility to find consensus with a view to agreeing on the draft procedures at this session of the Preparatory Commission.
[Promotion of Entry Into Force of the Treaty]
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to mention several important points related to the promotion of early entry into force of the Treaty. The Article XIV Conference will be held in New York on 29 September this year as has been announced. In order to enhance political momentum toward the early entry into force and universalization of the Treaty, Japan, as a designated co-chair country of the conference, has the pleasure and honour to exercise this function together with Kazakhstan, and would like to call for ministerial attendance from all the States Signatories to the conference.
Almost 20 years after the opening for signature of the Treaty, we would like to make the Final Declaration of the conference as robust as possible. In this regard, we welcome that States Signatories have actively submitted their comments and engaged in the discussion. Let me assure you that we will make every effort together with our Kazakhstan colleagues to reach consensus on a positive and balanced declaration.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to also mention that Japan will host the Group of Eminent Persons’ (GEM) meeting in Hiroshima on 24 and 25 August and the opening high-level session attended by GEM members and participants of the UN Conference on Disarmament Issues on 26 August.
[Appointments]
Mr. Chairman,
On appointments of officers, Japan supports the reappointment of Sir Michael Weston, who has done excellent work, as the Chairperson of the Advisory Group. Japan also supports the extension of the term of Mr. Oleg Rozhkov, Director of the On-Site Inspection Division, who has done excellent work including his dedicated work on the 2014 Integrated Field Exercise.
[20 Year Anniversary of the Treaty]
Mr. Chairman,
Finally, my delegation supports the initiative of Ambassador Ayoko of creating the open-ended working group to discuss the 20 year anniversary of the Treaty. Taking this opportunity, I would like to remind all States Signatories of the side event for the 20 year anniversary that Spain and Japan, with the cooperation of other missions, will organize at 14:00 today at the same venue here at Board Room C. Everyone interested is welcome to join the event.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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