As the intergovernmental negotiating team is exploring options for UN Security Council reform in New York, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Permanent Representative to the UN, spoke at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo on April 18. In response to a question from Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, she stated that the US is interested in and actively exploring the possibility of expanding the membership of the UN Security Council, including the permanent membership of Japan, Germany, and India, along with major African and Latin American countries. However, it remains to be seen whether this proposal will be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly members and ratified in accordance with the constitutional procedures of two-thirds of the member states of the United Nations, including all five current members of the Security Council. The Japanese government is called upon to exercise strong visionary leadership.Click to find out more. (4/5/2024)
“Dystfunctional Global System” is discussed
Mr. Koji Sakane, Director of GPAJ, discusses “Dysfunctional Global System” in his recent article at Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
Former Head of JICA Sudan argues Japan’s partnership with Sudan and Africa
Mr. Koji Sakane, Former Head of JICA Sudan Office and Director of GPAJ, argues Japan’s partnership and assistance for development of Sudan and Africa through his assignment, in his recently published article in Asia-Pacific Review.
Professor Motoyoshi YOSHIKAWA, former ambassador to the United Nations, urges Japan to use the United Nations for national interests instead of idealizing it.
After World War II, Japan joined the United Nations with high hopes and ideals. Now, however, disappointment is spreading over the UN’s dysfunction. Professor Motoyoshi YOSHIKAWA, former ambassador to the United Nations, urges Japan to use the United Nations for national interests instead of idealizing it.
For more details, please refer to the article in Gakushikai Bulletin No. 9 (2024-II) by clicking here. (22/4/2024)
A former UN Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Bill Paton, asserts that the war in Gaza lays bare, once again, the frightful arbitrariness of international justice.
A former UN Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Bill Paton, asserts that the war in Gaza lays bare, once again, the frightful arbitrariness of international justice. International rule of law has always been about rule by great powers. If we want a more just and peaceful world, developing countries – constituting the global majority – must stand up and demand one law for all.
Please click here for his full paper. (21/4/202)
Ms. Akiko Noda, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of the Crisis Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme, shared her views with the Japanese Parliamentary Committee of the World Federation.
Ms. Akiko Noda explained that UNDP has always been engaged in field-based projects before, during, and after conflicts, as well as before and after natural disasters, listening to and consulting with people, governments, and civil society on their concerns, and working together to create solutions for further development. For more information click here (5/4/2024)
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla Schwarz of Kosovo visited Japan and had a meeting (3/4/2024))
On 3 April 2024, the Kyoto Peacebuilding Center (KPC), the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ), and ACUNS Tokyo Liaison Office (ACUNS-Tokyo) organized a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla Schwarz of Kosovo, who was visiting Tokyo, to explain the situation in Kosovo. She recognized the importance of making reconciliation efforts but saw continued security threats from Serbia. Ambassador Ilidio Ximenes da Costa from Timor-Leste explained how the Timorese national leaders saw a similar situation differently and achieved reconciliation and friendship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia by following the Nelson Mandela approach of putting truth before justice. (3/4/2024) You can see details here.
At the Parliamentary Committee of the National Diet of Japan for World Federation, Philippe Lazzarini, Executive Director of the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees, requested that Japan resume providing humanitarian assistance for Palestinian residents. He then held a meeting to exchange opinions with bipartisan members of Congress regarding the situation on the ground. (29/3/2024)
You can see the details here.
An Interview with Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto Was Featured in the Online Edition of Sankei Shimbun.③(24/03/2024)
An interview with Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto was featured in the online edition of Sankei Shimbun. Please click on the link below to read the 13th to 16th installments of the 17-part series, “Diplomats on the International Stage,” as well as the extra installment.
Two new members elected for the Board of Directors and one new Vice Presidents appointed. (21/03/2024)
Online Meeting of the GPAJ General Assembly elected Ms. Akiko ABE and Mr. Witek MACIEJ as new members of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Tadamichi YAMAMOTO was appointed as the new Vice President of GPAJ.