Prime Minister Kishidadelivering an address atthe United Nations
General Assembly.

A WORLD CARING FOR
HUMAN DIGNITY:
PM KISHIDA’S SPEECH AT THE UNGASEPTEMBER 19, 2023
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202309/19unga.html

On September 19, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida delivered an address at the General Debate of the 78th
session of the United Nations General Assembly. PM Kishida called for the realization of a world filled withcooperation rather than division and confrontation, by shedding a new light on “human dignity” and advancing“human-centered international cooperation,” and for concrete action to strengthen the functions of the UN,including reform of the Security Council.
1. Introduction:
Mr. President, Excellencies,Now we have gathered in New York once again. TheSDGs are at their midpoint, facing mounting obstacles.
To our dismay, the aggression against Ukraine has yet tocease.
This year, as the world stands at a historical inflection
point, Japan serves as a non-permanent member of theSecurity Council and the Presidency of the G7. Throughthose capacities, I have heard the desperate desire forpeace and the pleas of vulnerable people seeking help. We
should respond to these voices and work towards a world
filled with cooperation, not division and confrontation.
This is my message to all the leaders of the MemberStates.
In Our Common Agenda, Secretary-General Guterres
called for international solidarity. Let us renew ourcommitment to a strong and effective multilateralism,with the UN at its core.
2. Defending human dignity through international cooperation:
Mr. President,
The world faces complex and interrelated issues ranging
from climate change, infectious diseases to challenges
to the rule of law. Now, at a time when international
cooperation is in want more than ever, we cannot
overcome these difficulties if the international community
remains divided over ideologies or values.
That is why I believe we should go back to the very
basic foundation of treating human life and dignity withparamount importance. We should aim for “A World
Caring for Human Dignity,” where vulnerable people canlive safely and securely.
At a time when the international community is facing

multiple crises and increasingly being divided, we need
a common language which resonates to all of us. Byshedding a new light on “human dignity”, I believe theinternational community can overcome differences inregimes or values, and steadily advance “human-centeredinternational cooperation”.
Japan has led human-centered international
cooperation, based on the concept of human security.
With this approach, we need to accelerate the efforts
among the international community to achieve the SDGs.
The dignity of the individual must not be neglected
as states and the international community tackle globalchallenges. To overcome inequalities and achieve theSDGs, “Quality Growth” and “Sustainable Growth” areessential. The key is to “invest in people”, which is mypolitical credo.
Gender perspective is also important for ‘Quality
Growth’. Japan aims to reduce inequalities and overcomesocial divisions by promoting women’s participation.
Japan will promote transparent and fair development
finance in accordance with international rules to achievesustainable growth in developing countries. Private
finance will also be tapped to fill the gap of development
finance. Japan will work with other countries to seek
economies that protect human dignity while attracting
investment dynamism.
3. Cooperation Pursued:
Mr. President,
In order to address unprecedented crises and challenges,
and to protect and strengthen ‘human dignity’, let us start
step by step from where we can.
The first is cooperation towards the realization ofa peaceful and stable international community where
human dignity is respected. Hailing from Hiroshima,
which was devastated by atomic bombing, I have madenuclear disarmament my lifelong mission. Towards
achieving a world without nuclear weapons, we willcontinue to bolster realistic and practical efforts, while
upholding and strengthening the NPT by implementing
measures under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.”
I call on political leaders of nuclear-weapon Statesand other countries around the globe to step up theirengagement on nuclear disarmament so that thosefrom all walks of life are exposed to its importance andtake concrete action, not despite of, but because of thechallenging security environment.
With a view to working towards a world without
nuclear weapons, which we have been striving for
together with the Hibakushas, we must crystalize thenuclear disarmament trend, which has been successfully“mainstreamed” thanks to the efforts of our predecessors.
As we speak, we are faced with the threat of thereversal of the downward trend of the global number ofnuclear weapons. The significance of a treaty banning theproduction of fissile material for nuclear weapons or otherexplosive devices (FMCT), which was avowed here in theGeneral Assembly 30 years ago, has not diminished by any
measure. That is why I just co-hosted a High-Level Eventon FMCT with the Philippines and Australia to refocus
political attention towards the FMCT on the 30th year of
its initial proposal.
Having nuclear-weapon States engage in concrete
nuclear disarmament measures is key. Japan, as a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, will workwith the UN and relevant States to promote dialogue
between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon
States.
To set in stone the trend of “mainstreaming” nuclear
disarmament, it is paramount to transcend purely
government efforts and engage in multi-layered efforts.
To overcome the divisive debate among academia
and government over whether we should be choosing
deterrence or disarmament, Japan will contribute 3 billion
yen to newly establish “Japan Chair for a world without
nuclear weapons” at overseas research institutes and thinktanks.
We will also continue to build a global networkof young people for nuclear abolition, making use of
the Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear
Weapons, which I established last year in cooperation
with the United Nations.
During the G7 Hiroshima Summit Meeting, the leaders of the invited
countries and the heads of international organizations shared the pledge forpeace at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The G7 leaders issued the “G7Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament,” the group’s first-everdocument focusing on nuclear disarmament.

It is also essential to ensure nuclear safety and thesecurity of nuclear materials and facilities, including insituations of conflict.
We also need to defend the dignity of people
jeopardized by armed conflicts.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues. A foodcrisis must not be perpetuated. Supporting vulnerable
people in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere isessential.
We need to protect the safety of women and children
who are the most vulnerable in conflict situations,to strengthen border controls and measures against
trafficking in persons as well as to provide international
support to retrieve abducted children. Women, Peaceand Security (WPS) places women as crucial and active
players in relevant policies for peace and security, andJapan will continue to promote this agenda.
The second is how to take a balance between theprogress of digitalization and human dignity.
Digitalization is bringing benefits to everybody;
however, there are risks of violating privacy and humanrights. We need a digital ecosystem and international rulesthat are compatible with human dignity. That is why at
the G7 Hiroshima Summit we launched the Hiroshima
AI Process on Generative AI, toward trustworthy AI.
Japan will also strengthen its support for digitalizationin developing countries in the manner of ensuring
cybersecurity.
Third, Japan will work to mitigate the potential impact
on people which may arise before net-zero is achieved.
Asian countries are the key to globally achieving netzero. Under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC)
initiative, Japan will promote effective cooperation, taking
into account various needs.

Japan will further support disaster risk reduction
for countries vulnerable to climate change, including
island states, aiding efforts towards resilient economies
and societies against sea level rise and natural disasters
associated with extreme weather events.
The ocean is a new frontier with abundant potential andit is essential to take comprehensive measures, including
making use of blue carbon to tackle climate change.
The perspective of international law is also important.
Japan supports the preservation of existing baselines
under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, evenafter the future regression of coastline due to sea level rise.
As the G7 Presidency, we have set a framework forcooperation on biodiversity conservation and a targetof reducing additional plastic pollution to zero by2040. Japan will continue to contribute in the field ofenvironmental protection.
Fourth, we must prepare for the next infectious disease
outbreak.
We must be ready for the next infectious disease,learning from the lessons through our fight against
COVID-19.
As the G7, both the public and private sectors havepledged more than USD 48 billion to achieve universal
health coverage (UHC) and to strengthen prevention,preparedness and response (PPR) to health crises. Japan
will contribute USD 7.5 billion for the period of 2022-25.
Together with the mobilization of domestic financial
resources, Japan supports mobilizing financial resourcesin the private sector through the promotion of impact
investments. Japan will continue to work with developing
countries, including emerging economies, to ensure
equitable access to medical countermeasures for healthemergencies (MCMs), based on the G20 outcomes.

Several MOUs on the production and utilization of ammonia were signed at theAZEC Public-Private Investment Forum held in March 2023. The photo showsthe Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi, where a demonstration project togenerate electricity by co-firing ammonia and coal is underway. JERA CO., INC.

4. The Rule of Law
Mr. President,
At a time when the world is at a historical inflection
point, we must reflect on how we started here.
Inscribed in the Charter of the United Nations
is the firm determination of our predecessors, after
the experience of two world wars, to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war and to protect humandignity.
The principles of the UN Charter, such as sovereign
equality, respect for territorial integrity and theprohibition of the use of force, are fundamental principles
of international law for people to live in peace and provide
the basis of the ‘rule of law.’International law is there for the benefit of weakerstates. Together, under the ‘rule of law’, Japan would liketo protect the right of vulnerable nations and peoples tolive in peace, in order to safeguard and strengthen ‘humandignity’.
However, even to this day, Russia, a permanent memberof the Security Council, is infringing upon internationallaw and the ‘rule of law’. Unilateral changes to the status
quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere inthe world. The situation, which the General Assembly hasrepeatedly condemned as a violation of the UN Charterand human rights, must be rectified as soon as possible
and the nuclear threat must be ended.
In March of this year, I announced a new plan for FOIP,a free and open Indo-Pacific. Based on the principles offreedom, the rule of law, inclusiveness, openness anddiversity, Japan will work with countries that share avision of a world where diverse nations coexist and prosper
together.
Japan will further extend our support for peacekeepers.
Japan will strengthen the scope and quality of the UN
Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP), with anadditional contribution of around USD 9 million to
support the capacity building of personnel deployed inAU Peace Support Operations.
Japan’s policy on North Korea remains unchanged.
Japan seeks to normalize its relationship with North
Korea, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang
Declaration, through comprehensively resolving theoutstanding issues of concern such as the abductions,
nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of ourunfortunate past.
From the perspective of opening up a new era together,
I would like to convey my determination to meet withPresident Kim Jong-un face to face at any time without
any conditions, and would like to hold high-level talks
under my direct supervision to realize a summit meetingat an early time.
5. Towards a stronger United Nations:
Mr. President,
The United Nations should be a place of listening tothe voices of people facing difficulties, empowering them,

On September 20, PM Kishida received the Global Goalkeepers Award
2023, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for Japan’s healthfocused leadership at the G7 Hiroshima Summit and years of immense
contribution to global health, among other reasons.

and overcoming such difficulties through cooperation; itshould not be a place of confrontation and division.
This year, we have agreed on concrete measures tostrengthen the structures that support the President of theGeneral Assembly. This is a steady step towards a “UN forcooperation”.
We commend the Secretary-General’s leadership withhis vision for multilateralism.
Initiatives to limit the use of the veto, which exacerbatesdivision and confrontation in the UN, will strengthen
and restore confidence in the Security Council. Japan
will also continue its efforts to increase the transparencyof discussions in the Security Council, including byimproving access to deliberations in the Security Council
for member states other than the permanent members. To
this end, Japan will contribute to the clarification of therules of the Security Council.
The world is changing dramatically. We need a Security
Council that reflects the world today. Japan supports
increased representation of Africa and the need to expand
both the permanent and non-permanent membership of
the Council. Looking ahead to next year’s Summit of theFuture and the subsequent 80th anniversary of the UN,
now is the opportunity to move to concrete action.
6. Conclusion:
Mr. President,International cooperation that protects and strengthens‘human dignity’ will be the driving force that brings theworld back towards the same goal.
I am looking forward to deepening this discussion atnext year’s Summit of the Future with future generations
in mind. And as we envision the post-2030 Agenda in
the future, I believe human dignity should be placed
as the core principle that illuminates the future of theinternational community.
Let us join our forces to strengthen human dignity andcreate a ‘United Nations for cooperation’.
Thank you for your attention.

*The above text was republished from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202309/19unga.html