Latest news with #IzumiNakamitsu
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Hails New Era Of Cooperation Over Syria's Chemical Weapons Stockpile
5 June 2025 However, serious concerns remain over potential undeclared stockpiles and more than a decade of incomplete or inconsistent disclosures by Syria, raising doubts about full compliance. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council on Wednesday, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said that recent missions by the international chemical weapons watchdog (OPCW) had made 'meaningful progress' toward verifying the full extent of Syria's suspected arsenal – a process long hindered by lack of access under the previous regime. Transparent cooperation Two OPCW deployments took place in March and April, with inspectors visiting a dozen sites in and around Damascus, including key facilities of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) – long believed to be central to Syria's weapons programme. During the April visit, samples were collected for laboratory analysis and experts met with newly appointed Syrian officials, including the new Director-General of the SSRC. 'For both deployments, the interim Syrian authorities extended all necessary support for the OPCW team's activities,' Ms. Nakamitsu said, noting that this included full access to sites and personnel, security escorts and issuance of visas. 'The commitment of the new authorities in Syria to fully and transparently cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is commendable.' Challenges remain Nevertheless, challenges remain. Of the 26 issues originally flagged by the OPCW regarding Syria's 2013 chemical weapons declaration, 19 are still unresolved – including potentially undeclared chemical agents and munitions, which remain matters of 'serious concern,' according to the watchdog. Resolution 2118, adopted unanimously by the Security Council following a deadly sarin gas attack in Ghouta, requires Syria to fully declare and destroy all chemical weapons under international supervision. The Ghouta chemical attack occurred on 21 August 2013, when rockets filled with a nerve agent struck the eastern suburb of Damascus, reportedly killing more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children. A UN investigation confirmed that sarin gas was used in the attack. Despite joining the Chemical Weapons Convention that year, the Assad regime – which was toppled last December – made 20 amendments to its initial declaration without satisfying OPCW verification standards. Difficult road ahead Ms. Nakamitsu urged Security Council members to unite over the Syria dossier, emphasising that long-term disarmament and non-proliferation there would require additional international support and resources. 'The work ahead will not be easy,' she said, noting the need for training and equipment support to prevent the reemergence of chemical weapons and to enable the national authorities to investigate chemical weapons issues effectively. ' The United Nations stands ready to support and will continue to do our part to uphold the norm against the use of chemical weapons – anywhere, at any time. '
The Mainichi
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Global Perspective: Overcoming 'crisis of trust' vital as hostility, division deepen
By Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. Under-Secretary-General Amid growing concerns worldwide about democracy in crisis, the findings of the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer survey were released in January during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the survey -- conducted annually by public relations firm Edelman Inc. in the United States -- measures public trust in governments, corporations, media, and nongovernmental organizations across the world. The survey's inception dates back to 1999, when large-scale demonstrations against globalization erupted in Seattle during the third World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting. The protests marked a historic watershed for civil society organizations and NGOs, amplifying their international decision-making. Initially designed to assess trust levels between governments, corporations and NGOs, the first results showed that NGOs were the most trusted globally. Since then, the world has experienced tectonic shifts: the financial crisis of 2008, the rise of populism from around 2016, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Each of these crises has further shaken global stability. The deep anger of have-nots This year's Barometer, subtitled "Trust and the Crisis of Grievance," paints a stark picture: Trust in organizations in general, including governments and media outlets, continues to decline, with grievances especially high among low-income groups. Economic uncertainty, job insecurity and inequality -- exacerbated by globalization, recession, and accelerating rapid technological change -- are fanning resentment and grievances. And the gap between high- and low-income groups is widening regarding their trust in government and other organizations. One of the report's most shocking findings: An average of 40% of people in the world and 35% in Japan view "hostile activism" as a valid means to drive change. Among adults aged 18-34, support for hostile activism accounts for 53% globally and 43% in Japan. Hostile activism includes online attacks, intentionally spreading disinformation, threats or manifestations of violence, and damaging public or private property. In fact, with rising online hostility in Japan, and events such as the Capitol riots in the U.S. in January 2021, the report warns that hostile activism is not rare anymore. It is becoming a phenomenon that can happen at any time. Widespread pessimism about the future The survey reveals that less than 1 in 5 people in many developed countries believe that "the next generation will be better off compared to today." In Japan, only 14% hold this view. The 2023-2024 United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report finds that 7 out of 10 people feel they have little influence on their government's decisions. The sense of hopelessness for the future, paired with distrust in democratic political processes, is fueling vicious cycles of further disengagement in the political system. A "zero-sum" mindset -- where people assume that gains for the opposing group means losses for themselves -- coupled with misinformation and disinformation abounding on social networking sites further intensifies hostility and division among people. Populist resentment against the perceived economic elites stems from a reality where changes in the economic and industrial structures due to economic globalization benefit only a limited number of rich people, while their negative consequences remain largely unaddressed. Growing inequality and disparity erode social structures such as the family and community, which are key sources of people's sense of belonging. The current crisis of trust can no longer be framed by the traditional political axis of the right and the left. Instead, solutions must consider the state of the society, the role of politics and policies regarding international cooperation -- especially amid geopolitical paradigm shifts -- and technological innovation that is advancing at a tremendous pace. Domestic divisions and political polarization are directly interlinked with international cooperation and trust. "International cooperation" isn't limited to humanitarian and developmental assistance from developed to developing countries. It now extends to tackling a wide range of challenges vital to the stability and prosperity of the developed countries: responding to climate change, regulating artificial intelligence, and enhancing cooperation and norm promotion in security. Failing to address the sources of instability in developing countries could trigger further confusion and large-scale population movements, exacerbating international instability. As such, disengaging from international cooperation is ultimately not beneficial to the national interests of any country in the world today. The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals motto, "Leave no one behind," was adopted by the General Assembly in 2015, rooted in ethical and moral considerations based on international solidarity. The idea for humanity to prosper together is still an important principle, but now has taken a strategic dimension, as the survey reveals: Responding to popular grievances and restoring trust in political organizations has become critical to preventing large-scale destabilization of our global society. The UN's unconventional call to action In his September 2021 report titled "Our Common Agenda," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to rebuild trust by renewing the "social contract" -- the agreement between governments and their citizens that underpins legitimacy in governance and is binding for the stakeholders. He urged global leaders to listen to the voices of citizens and work together to envision the future. The secretary-general's stance was unusual, as the world body normally avoids commenting on the internal affairs of member states in its reports, with the exception of major human rights violations. However, rebuilding trust can be perceived as an issue directly affecting world peace, given the big picture of global destabilization related to a crisis rooted in trust deficits in domestic political institutions fueled by people's grievances. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. Governments, businesses, the media, NGOs, and international organizations from all sectors -- including the U.N. itself -- need to commit to and collaborate on concrete efforts to rebuild trust. We must be held accountable when we fail to perform the functions the people expect, and work hard to reform ourselves. Domestic organizations must listen to the voices of citizens, engage in sincere dialogue, and work together to find a breakthrough. Responses such as, "We would like to withhold an answer to your question," as is often heard in political arenas in Japan and elsewhere, should be confined to the past. In an era of great change, rebuilding trust at all levels is the key to a better future.
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordan hosts UN meeting on nuclear weapons-free Middle East zone
AMMAN — Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Majid Qatarneh on Monday participated in a meeting of the Working Committee stemming from the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. The meeting, held in Amman, marked the first time the committee has convened outside the UN headquarters in New York, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. In his remarks, Qatarneh reiterated Jordan's unwavering stance on the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East. 'Our message is clear: the creation of a region free of nuclear weapons is not only a regional responsibility, but a shared international obligation that must be upheld in line with relevant UN resolutions,' he said. He also reiterated Jordan's full support for the UN-led process and its commitment to cooperating with all participating states to realise the conference's common objectives. The meeting was chaired by Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations and President of the upcoming sixth session of the conference, Ambassador Omar Hilale. Also in attendance was UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu. The session was held as part of preparations for the sixth session of the conference, established under UN General Assembly Resolution 73/546 in 2018. The inaugural session was held in 2019 under Jordan's presidency. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Mainichi
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Young trees from Hiroshima planted at UN as symbol of peacebuilding
NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Two saplings from Hiroshima were planted Monday at the United Nations in New York as a symbol of global peacebuilding efforts as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan as well as the establishment of the world body. Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary general for disarmament affairs, said during a planting ceremony that the young persimmon trees grew from seeds that survived the 1945 nuclear attack on the Japanese city and she hopes they will endure for another 80 years and beyond. Describing the trees as "a symbol of peace" and "resilience," Nakamitsu also said, "What we all need to remember is that we can make peace and build peace if we are together." Harold Agyeman, Ghana's top U.N. envoy who chairs a panel related to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, said he hopes the trees will be "a symbol of our united resolve and determined aspiration to make the United Nations a pillar of hope for the needs of the peoples of the world during our times." Agyeman heads the preparatory committee for next year's U.N. conference to review the implementation of the treaty. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japan's ambassador to the United Nations, also attended the ceremony.
Japan Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Saplings from a tree that survived atomic bombing planted at U.N. headquarters
Saplings from a persimmon tree that survived the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima were planted in an event at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday. U.N. employees planned the event, as this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the U.S. atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the founding of the United Nations. Participants at the event included Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Kazuyuki Yamazaki and U.N. General Assembly President Philemon Yang. Nakamitsu expressed hope that the trees will grow big and allow many people to enjoy their fruit, which will symbolize peace and revival. The saplings were grown from seeds collected from a persimmon tree exposed to the blast and radiation from the atomic bomb just 530 meters from the center of the explosion in Hiroshima. "Since this activity started 14 years ago, it has been our big dream to plant (such trees) at the U.N. headquarters," said Junko Shimadzu of Green Legacy Hiroshima, which sends seeds and saplings from atomic-bombed trees worldwide. "I hope people will feel the buds of hope for peace."
