UN reform essential for restoring trust: Japan tells UNGA President

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Tuesday met Dr Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York and stressed that UN reform is essential to restoring trust in the organisation.

Motegi said the UN Security Council urgently needs reform to better reflect today’s international community and expressed his expectation that President Rahman would provide leadership towards achieving the reform at an early date.

The meeting took place in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where Motegi was attending the session. It lasted about 15 minutes, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

At the outset, Motegi congratulated Rahman on assuming the presidency of the General Assembly and expressed Japan’s intention to cooperate in building a more resilient and effective United Nations.

Rahman welcomed Motegi’s participation in the General Assembly.

Motegi said Japan intends to strengthen cooperation with the international community under the concept of human security to build an inclusive society where “no one is left behind”.

He also emphasised the importance Japan attaches to cooperation with the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly.

Rahman said measures related to artificial intelligence are particularly important and expressed his willingness to work closely with Japan, including in that area.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on policies concerning North Korea, including its nuclear and missile programmes and the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.