THE JAPAN TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 5 United Nations Day A future of greener, cleaner and low-carbon growth Future challenges require growing role, global youth Ban Ki-moon threshold lies our best chance for greener, SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE UNITED NATIONS cleaner, low-carbon growth. Michiru Mekata tries (Japan, Germany, India The U.N. is also in transition, from its SPECIAL TO THE JAPAN TIMES and Brazil) made concerted ef- This year’s observance of eighth secretary-general to the ninth. I forts to reform the U.N. Security United Nations Day occurs have been honored to serve “we the peo- Tis year, Japan is celebrating 60 Council. Te following year at a time of transition for ples” for the past ten years. Together, we years of U.N. membership. On marked the 50th anniversary of the world and for the U.N. have put in place some solid foundations this occasion, U.N. Information Japan joining the U.N. and I have Humanity has entered for shared progress — which we must Centre Director Kaoru Nemoto fond memories of a commemo- the era of sustainability — build on by working even harder to em- met with Kenzo Oshima, a well- rative event, featuring the New with a global commitment power women, engage youth and uphold respected international fgure York Asian Symphony Orches- to fulfil the great promise human rights for all. But we have also suf- who has held senior positions at tra. It provided an opportunity of the 2030 Agenda for fered enormous heartbreak — including top-notch institutions in and for up-and-coming Japanese Sustainable Development. unresolved conflicts causing immense outside Japan, including the and other Asian musicians to Japan’s substantive U.N. contri- In this, the organization’s suffering throughout the troubled Middle U.N. and the Ministry of Foreign perform, who otherwise would butions over the years. Te pro- 71st year, we have 17 goals to propel us East, South Sudan, the Sahel and beyond. Afairs. Te two exchanged have had little chance of public cess also revealed hurdles and toward a better future for all on a healthy On these and other front lines of violence views on the past, present and exposure. In October 2006, pitfalls that lie in the way. Fore- planet. and disaster, courageous U.N. staff con- future of the U.N. and Japan, as Japan assumed the Security most of all, the permanent mem- The world is also moving at long last tinue to rise to the occasion and respond well as various issues confront- Council presidency, when bers are very reluctant to let go beyond the mindset that viewed the burn- to the plight of the vulnerable. ing the world. Te summary of North Korea conducted its frst of their vested interest — the ing of fossil fuels as the path to prosperi- I thank people across the world for their their dialogue follows: nuclear test, resulting in the frst veto. ty. At a time of record heat, member support — and urge all to give their full sanctions against that country. What can one expect 10 states have embraced the Paris Agree- backing to Secretary-General-designate Nemoto: Japan has been pro- In that month, too, the council years on? Te option for Japan ment on climate change in record time. Antonio Guterres in continuing our global viding emergency humanitarian made a decision recommending Kenzo Oshima (right) discusses the past, present and future of and others seeking permanent This landmark measure will enter into mission of peace, sustainable develop- relief, assistance for rehabilita- Ban Ki-moon to replace Kof the U.N. with Kaoru Nemoto at the U.N. Information Centre in membership is whether to stick force on Nov. 4. Across that historic ment and human rights. tion and reconstruction and Annan as secretary-general. Shibuya Ward on Oct. 5. SATOKO KAWASAKI to the position taken 10 years peacebuilding support over the Nemoto: What was your role ago, or whether to seek an years to various needy countries under Annan at the dawn of the circumstances? university seminar, the project achievable compromise. In this as a U.N. member. 21st century? Oshima: One big issue was provides intensive courses to im- regard, in February 2015, a Oshima: Yes. Tough the ac- Oshima: My principal role how to balance the activities of prove the students’ English com- group of distinguished interna- 60 years of U.N. commitment tivities have been humble, such was to promote humanitarian the humanitarian workers munication and debating skills tional fgures that call them- longstanding sincerity to con- advocacy and coordinate emer- against their safety. In war zones and sessions on peace-related selves “Te Elders,” made David M. Malone enhancing Japan’s role. vital role in the establishment tribute to the global community gency humanitarian relief activ- and high-risk areas, their lives subjects ft for Hiroshima, which public a four-point proposal for RECTOR, UNITED NATIONS For the past three decades, and continuing operation of has won the trust of numerous ity by U.N. agencies, in were constantly at risk or some- experienced and recovered from council reform. Te group, UNIVERSITY, UNDER-SECRETARY- Japan has remained the sec- the United Nations Univer- countries around the world. Tis cooperation with the non-U.N. times even sacrifced. As such, a nuclear bombing. founded by the former Presi- GENERAL, THE UNITED NATIONS ond-largest contributor to the sity (UNU). external evaluation is invalu- humanitarian players. At the we had many serious internal Nemoto: I agree such support dent of South Africa, the late U.N.’s regular budget (behind Japan’s offer in 1973 to host able, and we should maintain time, the Democratic Republic discussions regarding this issue. for youth is necessary, and we Nelson Mandela, and chaired We celebrate United Nations only the United States). It is the UNU headquarters in and expand the activities in the of the Congo, Sudan, Angola Personally, it was physically and must lay the groundwork for now by Kof Annan, suggested Day annually to commemorate also the third-largest fnancial Tokyo, and its accompanying future. and Liberia were in dire need of mentally one of the toughest, their global perspectives. Tat is a compromise solution on the the Oct. 24, contributor to the U.N.’s p e a c e - contribution of $100 million Nemoto: Regarding your po- sustained relief aid, and in Asia, most exhausting times in my ca- also why seven U.N. institutions question of enlarging council 1945, estab- keeping operations and among to establish the UNU Endow- sitioning in the global arena, can Afghanistan presented serious reer. It meant a lot of long travel, hold joint career fairs for stu- membership, saying “Let the lishment of the world’s top-fve donors of ment Fund, was the impetus you tell us about your U.N. ex- humanitarian challenges, par- jet lag, meetings with leaders dents and youth in Japan. We are states which aspire to perma- the United humanitarian aid. that made U.N. Secretary- perience? ticularly when it was under Tal- and a wide range of humanitar- sowing the seeds, but it takes nent membership accept in- Nations. For Outside the fnancial realm, General U Thant’s vision a Oshima: I was with the U.N. iban control. On one early 2001 ian players to discuss difcult time for them to grow. stead, at least for the time 71 years, the Japan, too, has played impor- reality, playing an important for fve years from 2001 until visit to Afghanistan and neigh- issues, often fnding myself bat- How do you see Japan’s future being, election to a new cate- U.N. has been tant and constructive roles in role in bringing the world of 2007, frst as under-secretary- boring countries, I carried An- tling to explain things clearly standing at the U.N.? gory of membership, which a vital forum numerous U.N. activities and research closer to the U.N. general for humanitarian afairs nan’s personal letter to seek and sway others in English. Oshima: Te possibility of would give them a much longer where the has made signifcant intellec- and informing evidence- (OCHA), and, after a short support to facilitate relief con- Nemoto: Is that why you Japan becoming a permanent term than the two years served world’s peo- tual and personnel contribu- based policymaking. Though break, as the permanent repre- voys crossing their borders into stress youth education and in- member of the Security Council by the non-permanent mem- ples can work tions to the U.N. UNU has grown to be a glob- sentative. In September 2005, Afghanistan. I also met Taliban volve yourself in education in is a delicate and difcult issue. It bers, and to which they could together to identify common Japan was among the key ar- al system of institutes, Japan the U.N. summit was held com- leaders to discuss the situation your hometown Hiroshima? is clear the U.N. system is be- be immediately re-elected problems, agree on feasible so- chitects of the Hyogo and Sen- remains the heart of UNU. memorating its 60th anniver- to allow access for humanitarian Oshima: Absolutely. I now coming outdated and requires when that term expires.” If ac- lutions and take joint action. dai frameworks, the key In my role as rector of sary and it adopted a landmark workers to reach those in need spend time running a seminar signifcant reform after 70 years, cepted, this formula would On this U.N. Day, we should international agreements gov- UNU, I thank the Japanese outcome document that estab- of food and shelter.