Japan attaches importance to such tasks as responding to humanitarian emergencies and securing a smooth transition from post-conflict emergency humanitarian assistance to reconstruction and development assistance. Using the Special Session of the General Assembly for Follow-up to the World Summit for Children, which will be held in September 2001, Japan will continue to contribute to the improvement of the health conditions, school enrollment and attendance of children. Moreover, the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children will be held in Yokohama in December 2001 to strengthen the protection of children from commercial sexual exploitation. Japan will continue to contribute to keep up the momentum of negotiations. Henceforth, an even more effective and efficient implementation of various treaties on the environment is important.
Next year is the UN Year of Dialogue among Civilizations.
The number of Japanese staff in the UN is extremely modest and further efforts by both the UN and Japan will be needed to increase the number of Japanese staff.