Secretary-General’s press encounter on the TICAD9 Summit

Ladies and gents,
 
It is an honour to be again in Japan – a pillar of multilateralism and solidarity.
 
And it’s particularly significant to be right here in a month that highlights Japan’s very important function on the worldwide stage.
 
Japan as a pacesetter for peace.  August marks the eightieth anniversary of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – and likewise the enduring dedication of the Japanese individuals to peace and disarmament, acknowledged most lately with the Nobel Peace Prize.
 
And speaking about peace, I have to reiterate that it’s vital to achieve instantly a ceasefire in Gaza, and the unconditional launch of all hostages and to keep away from the huge loss of life and destruction {that a} army operation towards Gaza City would inevitably trigger.
 
Simultaneously, the choice by the Israeli authorities to develop unlawful settlement building, which might divide the West Bank, have to be reversed. All settlement building is a violation of worldwide regulation.
 
Distinguished members of the media,
 
Japan is an advocate for worldwide cooperation – and I stay up for visiting Expo 2025 in Osaka tomorrow.
 
And, after all, Japan is a champion of growth cooperation – as we see on full show right here in TICAD. Leadership throughout all these fronts is extra essential than ever.
 
Around the world, battle rages – from Gaza to Sudan to Ukraine and past.
 
Climate chaos is destroying lives and livelihoods.
 
Economies are straining below debt, uncertainty and inequality.
 
And on this time of fracture and fragility, we’d like collective motion to revive belief and ship international progress.
 
Our discussions on the TICAD Summit targeted on how partnership with Africa can strengthen options the entire world wants – in peace, in international governance, finance, local weather motion, and digital transformation.
 
First, there could be no growth with out peace.
 
We want diplomacy to silence the weapons and forestall escalation; humanitarian entry to achieve individuals in want; and powerful help for regional efforts to rebuild belief and establishments.
 
Second, fairer international governance and finance.
 
Our establishments should mirror at this time’s world – not the world of 1945.
 
That means a Security Council that’s reformed to be extra consultant and efficient.
 
It additionally means truthful illustration throughout worldwide monetary establishments – and a monetary structure that serves the wants of growing international locations.
 
Debt should not drown growth.
 
We want daring debt aid, elevated concessional finance, and a tripling of the lending capability of multilateral growth banks – making them larger, bolder, and higher capable of leverage personal finance at cheap value.
 
Third, investing in local weather options.
 
Africa has every part it takes to turn into a renewables superpower – from photo voltaic and wind to the crucial minerals that energy clear applied sciences.
 
Yet it receives a tiny fraction of worldwide renewables funding.
 
Meanwhile, 600 million individuals nonetheless lack electrical energy.
 
We should mobilize finance and expertise in order that Africa’s pure wealth advantages African individuals first.
 
And we should construct a thriving renewables and manufacturing base throughout the continent.
 
Clean energy in Africa lowers power prices, diversifies provide chains, and accelerates decarbonization for everybody.
 
And we should scale adaptation – from early-warning techniques to resilient agriculture.
 
Fourth, ship digital transformation.
 
New applied sciences are enhancing lives, however we should develop inexpensive entry – and construct capability for Artificial Intelligence in all places.
 
I’ve submitted a report on modern financing choices to construct AI capability in growing international locations.
 
We are additionally pushing for the institution of an Independent International Scientific Panel and an annual Global Dialogue on AI on the UN – so that each nation can profit from shared data and have a voice in shaping AI governance.
 
And throughout these efforts, we should put individuals first:
 
Investing in schooling, expertise and first rate work, increasing social safety; and making certain girls’s full participation and management – in economics, politics and public life.
 
Dear pals of the media,
 
As we stand in Yokohama, we see greater than a gorgeous skyline – we see a window into the world.
 
Yokohama reminds us that openness is a alternative – particularly in exhausting occasions.
 
Whether it was within the aftermath of nice pure catastrophe or nice battle, Yokohama has proven that rebuilding takes belief, dignity and a dedication to a shared future.
 
Let this metropolis be our compass – resilient in adversity, and united in goal.
 
With Africa within the lead and Japan as a trusted companion, let’s carry that spirit ahead.
 
And I thanks.

Question: Hi, I’m from TV Asahi in Japan. Nowadays there are numerous controversy worldwide affairs, akin to, after all, in Africa area, but additionally in Ukraine and Gaza. So, what obligations and contributions do you anticipate for growing for developed international locations akin to Japan?

Secretary-General: I imagine that Japan has been a messenger for peace. Japan has been with the very clear and optimistic positions in relation to the disaster within the Middle East and particularly the struggling of the individuals in Gaza. Japan has had a really appropriate coverage in relation to the answer of the Ukraine disaster, defending the necessity of a simply and sustainable peace in respect for the UN Charter, in respect for worldwide regulation and for UN resolutions. And Japan has been very lively within the African continent, selling growth and concurrently selling dialogue that’s a vital situation for peace.

So, we see Japan as a messenger of peace on the planet that sadly is stuffed with conflicts, and in a state of affairs wherein now we have a Security Council that has been unable to seek out the required consensus due to the divides, the geopolitical divides, amongst superpowers, the UN Security Council has been unable to seek out the consensus that’s obligatory to place an finish to all these conflicts.

Question: Question from Africa intelligence. So, Japan has clearly determined to vary a little bit bit its method in direction of Africa. Now we’re attempting to work extra with the Indo Pacific international locations. So, in regard to US disengagement in direction of worldwide affairs, how do you see this new Japanese method in direction of growth in Africa and likewise enterprise? Thank you.

Secretary-General: Well, you should acknowledge that at this time, the quickest rising areas of the world are within the Indo Pacific and so from the standpoint of financial partnership, the partnership of Africa with the opposite international locations within the Indo Pacific area is with full potential. If you See the expansion charges in lots of Asian international locations, from China to India to Indonesia to many others, you see that numerous alternatives for growth and for cooperation are there.

And so it is completely pure that Japan places an emphasis on the significance of the cooperation between the African continent and the opposite international locations of the Indo Pacific area. Let’s not overlook that Africa has an enormous coast within the Indian Ocean.

Question: [in Japanese]

Secretary-General: There have been many initiatives in relation to nuclear disarmament and Non-Proliferation. And nuclear disarmament and Non-Proliferation are two faces of the identical coin, and the United Nations have been very lively in supporting each nuclear disarmament and Non-Proliferation, and we’re notably dedicated to guarantee that the subsequent Non-Proliferation Treaty evaluate is successful. At the identical time, now we have now a Convention for the Elimination of nuclear weapons that’s gathering an increasing number of help world wide, and we imagine that that is an especially vital initiative.

I used to be extraordinarily moved in my visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and I’ve been twice in Nagasaki, thrice in Hiroshima, by the Hibakusha and their testimony, and based mostly on their testimony, we perceive that it’s the responsibility of all of us to persistently combat for a world with out nuclear weapons.

Question: The United Nation proposed the peaceable decision in 1991 I imply referendum. But till now, there isn’t any referendum. So when this referendum will come, I want to ask your opinion. Thank you.

Secretary-General: We have been working persistently in mediation of the state of affairs of battle, and we’re completely dedicated to have the ability to attain an settlement among the many events on the long run. Thank you very a lot.