NODA Shoko-san was appointed on 28 September by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as the next Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator, and Director of the Crisis Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Please click here for the announcement by the United Nations.
In his presentation of his book, entitled History Continues – Three Models of the Continuation of History, Ambassador Dr. Kicmari made a detailed assertion of the return of ideological competition in international relations. This hybrid discussion meeting was attended by 20 participants in person at the venue and about 10 persons online. The following is a summary of the presentation and the remarks made by the participants.
In the keynote speech at the International Day of Peace symposium, SHISHINO Fumio, Chairman of the World Federation Cultural Education Promotion Council and Chairman of the Japan Religious Federation, said that in the Shinto Fuso religion, Mt. Fuji is the fundamental dojo, and there are five trails to climb the mountain. These are the Kitaguchi Yoshida Pathway and the Funatsu Pathway in Yamanashi Prefecture, and the East Exit Subashiri Pathway, Fujinomiya Murayama Pathway, and Gotemba Pathway in Shizuoka Prefecture. Each of them is proud that their path is the best, but they all agree that their destination is one place. Although the paths are different, there is only one purpose, and although each teaching is different, it is explained that the goal is one. Mr. Shishino preached that wishing and praying for the happiness of all living beings is the same thing. Click here for the full text of the keynote speech in Japanese.
Father Toshiaki Koso, Pastor of St. Ignatius Church, made opening remarks at the memorial ceremony and symposium for the International Day of Peace adopted by the UN General Assembly, which were held on 21 September 2023 at the St. Ignatius Church and Sophia University, Tokyo.
The International Day of Peace was commemorated at the St. Ignatius Church of Mary Cathedral, Sophia University in Tokyo.
China advocates (1) More developing countries should be represented in the council; (2) more countries, especially small- and medium-sized states, should have greater opportunities to serve on a rotating basis and participate in decision-making; (3) Security Council reform should adhere to the principle of geographic balance, ensuring representation of “different cultures and civilizations”; (4) all regional groupings should agree on reform proposals that concern their respective regions; and (5) any consensus on reform should reflect full democratic deliberations, as is consistent with the UN Charter. China is against adding any permanent members to the Security Council. Please click here for full text.
Iranian scholars Reza Arab and Forough Jonghani made presentations on the need for change sparked by protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. Initiated by the ‘Woman Life Freedom’ movement, most Iranian citizens hope for a future with a government of the people and for the people, separation of church and state, prioritization of domestic needs over adverse foreign policy, inclusion of all citizens’ ethnicities and religions, increased global trade and revived tourism, a non-partisan view of other countries’ political and social systems and international alliances.
In his comment on the New Agenda for Peace, Mr. Robert Berg pointed out that the UN’s share in peacekeeping globally has been declining. The major powers want competent but not dynamic leadership at the top of the United Nations. While the constraints put on the Secretary-General are considerable, including little financial resources available, Berg found that Guterres has rightly placed his attention on overcoming the deficits of UN peacekeeping in Africa. Please click here for the full text of his speech.
In his opening speech to the online meeting of former UN Special Representatives and Ambassadors to the United Nations, Professor Tshilidzi MARWALA, Rector of the UN University, warned about “the weaponization of new and emerging technologies.” MARWALA also pointed out that the rapid “developments in artificial intelligence and quantum technology-related weapons systems are exposing the insufficiency of existing global governance frameworks.” In concluding his opening remarks, MARWALA echoed the call made by Secretary-General António Guterres “to explore, formulate, and present to the UN and its member states to take concrete actions to prevent the weaponization of emerging technologies and promote their responsible application.” Please click here for the full text of his opening remarks.
Please click here for the audio recordings of their remarks.