Statement by the Japanese Delegation at the Forty-Fifth Session of Working Group B of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO
2014/8/28
Thank you, Mr Chairman,
[Introduction]
At the outset, our delegation would like to thank the Executive Secretary for his opening statement and for his visit to Hiroshima, Japan, this week to organize the historic Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) meeting there.
This year and specifically this month mark the 70th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Next year will already be 20 years since the opening for signature of the CTBT. These occasions are strong reminders for us all of how important it is to complete the verification regime of the Treaty, to prepare for the entry into force of the Treaty. In this regard, Japan greatly appreciates the work advanced by Working Group B (WGB) and the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) to date and stands ready to continue its support for the build-up and sustainment of the verification regime in the future.
[International Monitoring System]
Mr Chairman,
We are encouraged by the fact that approximately 89% of the International Monitoring System (IMS) stations have been installed and approximately 84% of facilities have been certified.
In this regard, we commend the Executive Secretary’s strenuous efforts to promote the installation and certification of IMS facilities, and appreciate his recent visit to Niger to promote the installation of an important radionuclide station, which will be one of 40 stations worldwide to be equipped with a noble gas system.
Let me also take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the PTS and the host country on the re-establishment of hydroacoustic station HA4 in the Crozet Islands of France.
[International Data Centre]
Mr Chairman,
Our delegation welcomes the review by the PTS of Phase 5a of the International Data Centre (IDC) Progressive Commissioning Plan. Let me mention that Japan continues to support the efforts of the PTS to acquire full time operational capability with full scale testing, evaluation and tuning based on the relevant Preparatory Commission decisions.
[On-Site Inspection]
Mr Chairman,
We highly appreciate the final evaluation report of the 2014 Integrated Field Exercise, and hope that WGB will make use of the lessons learned from the evaluation for the next On-Site Inspection (OSI) action plan.
[Capacity Building]
Mr Chairman,
With regard to capacity building, let us reiterate our appreciation for the continuous efforts of the PTS and State Signatories. Japan will support such efforts by convening the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Global Seismological Observation Training Course again next year. This course has taken place in Japan annually since 1996.
We further commend the PTS on the success of the CTBT: Science and Technology 2015 conference. Japan contributed by sending experts who gave informative presentations and participated in the discussions, mainly in radionuclide and hydroacoustic sessions.
[Introduction of a Biennial Budget Mechanism and a Multiyear Funding Modality]
Mr Chairman,
We welcome the decision on the introduction of a biennial budget mechanism from the 2016-2017 budget cycle that is suitable for the CTBTO considering the long term nature of many of its projects. We also welcome WGB’s further engagement in the biennial budget deliberations by providing guidance to the PTS on verification related elements.
Japan, while appreciating the relevant efforts of the PTS so far, reiterates its request to the PTS to consider and explore the possibility of achieving further efficiency in the budget for 2016-2017 and, in this regard, welcomes the initiative of PTS-wide integrated logistics support.
Multiyear funding on the basis of long term planning is necessary for the IDC and OSI as is the case with the IMS, which is covered by the Capital Investment Fund (CIF). Let me reiterate our support for the establishment of the multiyear funding modality, consisting of four funds from the 2016-2017 Budget.
[Strategic Long Term Working Plan of Working Group B]
Mr Chairman,
We welcome the proposal by the Chair, Mr Schulze, for a strategic long term working plan for WGB and look forward to engaging in discussions on this matter. In closing, I would like to assure you, Mr Chairman, the Friends of the Chair and the Task Leaders of Japan’s continuous support and engagement in all sessions of the WGB and wish for a speedy recovery of Mr Schulze.
I thank you, Mr Chairman.
[Introduction]
At the outset, our delegation would like to thank the Executive Secretary for his opening statement and for his visit to Hiroshima, Japan, this week to organize the historic Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) meeting there.
This year and specifically this month mark the 70th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Next year will already be 20 years since the opening for signature of the CTBT. These occasions are strong reminders for us all of how important it is to complete the verification regime of the Treaty, to prepare for the entry into force of the Treaty. In this regard, Japan greatly appreciates the work advanced by Working Group B (WGB) and the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) to date and stands ready to continue its support for the build-up and sustainment of the verification regime in the future.
[International Monitoring System]
Mr Chairman,
We are encouraged by the fact that approximately 89% of the International Monitoring System (IMS) stations have been installed and approximately 84% of facilities have been certified.
In this regard, we commend the Executive Secretary’s strenuous efforts to promote the installation and certification of IMS facilities, and appreciate his recent visit to Niger to promote the installation of an important radionuclide station, which will be one of 40 stations worldwide to be equipped with a noble gas system.
Let me also take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the PTS and the host country on the re-establishment of hydroacoustic station HA4 in the Crozet Islands of France.
[International Data Centre]
Mr Chairman,
Our delegation welcomes the review by the PTS of Phase 5a of the International Data Centre (IDC) Progressive Commissioning Plan. Let me mention that Japan continues to support the efforts of the PTS to acquire full time operational capability with full scale testing, evaluation and tuning based on the relevant Preparatory Commission decisions.
[On-Site Inspection]
Mr Chairman,
We highly appreciate the final evaluation report of the 2014 Integrated Field Exercise, and hope that WGB will make use of the lessons learned from the evaluation for the next On-Site Inspection (OSI) action plan.
[Capacity Building]
Mr Chairman,
With regard to capacity building, let us reiterate our appreciation for the continuous efforts of the PTS and State Signatories. Japan will support such efforts by convening the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Global Seismological Observation Training Course again next year. This course has taken place in Japan annually since 1996.
We further commend the PTS on the success of the CTBT: Science and Technology 2015 conference. Japan contributed by sending experts who gave informative presentations and participated in the discussions, mainly in radionuclide and hydroacoustic sessions.
[Introduction of a Biennial Budget Mechanism and a Multiyear Funding Modality]
Mr Chairman,
We welcome the decision on the introduction of a biennial budget mechanism from the 2016-2017 budget cycle that is suitable for the CTBTO considering the long term nature of many of its projects. We also welcome WGB’s further engagement in the biennial budget deliberations by providing guidance to the PTS on verification related elements.
Japan, while appreciating the relevant efforts of the PTS so far, reiterates its request to the PTS to consider and explore the possibility of achieving further efficiency in the budget for 2016-2017 and, in this regard, welcomes the initiative of PTS-wide integrated logistics support.
Multiyear funding on the basis of long term planning is necessary for the IDC and OSI as is the case with the IMS, which is covered by the Capital Investment Fund (CIF). Let me reiterate our support for the establishment of the multiyear funding modality, consisting of four funds from the 2016-2017 Budget.
[Strategic Long Term Working Plan of Working Group B]
Mr Chairman,
We welcome the proposal by the Chair, Mr Schulze, for a strategic long term working plan for WGB and look forward to engaging in discussions on this matter. In closing, I would like to assure you, Mr Chairman, the Friends of the Chair and the Task Leaders of Japan’s continuous support and engagement in all sessions of the WGB and wish for a speedy recovery of Mr Schulze.
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