Tokyo

08 August 2022

Secretary-General's remarks to the press at Japan National Press Club

António Guterres

Good morning distinguished members of the media,

It’s a great pleasure to be back in Japan, and I thank the government and the Japanese people for your very warm welcome.

Saturday’s peace ceremony in Hiroshima was an unforgettable and moving experience. The dedication of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the cause of peace, and the dignity and resilience of the hibakusha, are an example and a lesson for all of humanity.

I intended to go to Hiroshima for the 75th anniversary of the horrendous explosion. Unfortunately, COVID-19 did not allow me. I had gone to Nagasaki one year before, and I have to tell you that whenI came to Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a citizen of the world in the 1980s, this had a profound influence in my political career in my country, and later in my actions in international affairs.

I’d like to underline that in Hiroshima I made two concrete asks. First, ask the nuclear armed countries to commit to no first use of nuclear weapons and ask nuclear armed countries, never to use or threaten non-nuclear armed countries with the use of nuclear weapons, with full transparency in relation to their arsenals. I hope these asks will be taken seriously because we are witnessing a radicalization in the geopolitical situation that makes the risk of a nuclear war again, something we cannot completely forget.

I also want to express my deep condolences, remembering former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, whom I met several times and was a true believer in multilateralism and a staunch partner of the United Nations. I was deeply shocked and saddened by his killing.

Mr. Abe leaves a legacy of strengthened relations with the United Nations, and I would once again like to convey our condolences to the Government, the people of Japan and his family on his passing.

Japan is a pillar of the multilateral system, and the third largest financial contributor to the United Nations. 

But Japan’s support goes far beyond funding. I commend Japan’s solidarity and help in response to the war in Ukraine; its strong commitment to Universal Health Coverage; its leadership on disaster risk reduction; and its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping.  

Japan’s global leadership extends to an increasing advocacy for peace, human security and disarmament.

At a time when geopolitical tensions are rising and the nuclear threat is back in focus, Japan’s strong and consistent voice on peace is more important than ever.

My talks with Prime Minister Kishida in Hiroshima confirmed this. We covered many aspects of the serious global challenges we face today, including the situation also on the Korean Peninsula.

This mission I am undertaking is centered on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It takes place when the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference is taking place in New York.

I came to Hiroshima paying tribute to the victims, paying tribute to the hibakusha, paying tribute to the people of Hiroshima, and I will be going to Mongolia and the Republic of Korea. Mongolia has been an important interlocutor of the UN in relation to the situation in the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. Considering that the denuclearization - full denuclearization, verifiable and irreversible of the Korean Peninsula remains a major objective together with the success of the JCPOA to avoid the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

As you know, I have repeatedly advocated for and welcomed the reopening and strengthening of communication channels to reduce tensions, and I hope the parties will resume dialogue and build on earlier agreements.

I would also like to express my total solidarity on the issue of abductees, a historical injustice that is completely unacceptable in today’s world.

Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is being hampered at the global and national levels by growing inequalities between developed and developing countries, between north and south, and by discrimination against women and minorities of all kinds.

I count on Japan’s efforts to reduce these unjust inequalities, and to support inclusive, resilient, sustainable economies and societies, based on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

I also urge Japan to support efforts at the global level to reform the financial architecture that is failing developing countries. We need solidarity to create a more just and equitable global financial system that works for everyone.  

And we need solidarity to combat the climate crisis.

Japan itself is seeing the consequences of our exploitation of fossil fuels, with an unusual stretch of extreme heat earlier this year, followed by torrential rain.

Addiction to fossil fuels is a one-way street to the destruction of jobs, businesses and economies, and to increased conflict, hunger and disease.

With its impressive record of innovation and deep appreciation for the natural world, Japan has enormous potential for global leadership on climate.

I hope Japan will take a number of specific actions.

First, I encourage Japan to take credible and ambitious actions to cut emissions by half in the next eight years. To become a leader in renewables technology and storage, at home and abroad.
 
Second, to build on your government’s commitment to stop funding coal plants. 

There is no such thing as clean coal. 

For real change, I hope Japanese public and private capital will stop financing coal completely. I count on Japan and all G20 countries to deliver urgently on this promise – and push for more.

Likewise, G7 countries that Japan will preside next year, must make good on their commitment to end new direct public support for international fossil fuel projects.

Third, partnerships are essential for many coal-dependent economies to make a just transition to renewable energy.

Japan can play an important role in these partnerships in support of the shift to renewables. In doing so, it will open new markets and accelerate economic competitiveness.

Japan is today leader, co-leader of the coalition to support Indonesia in accelerating its just transition from fossil fuels to renewables.

And I count on Japan to demand that multilateral development banks immediately deliver investments and support for developing countries to expand renewables and build climate resilience through adaptation.  

As a major shareholder, Japan can use its influence to make these institutions fit-for-purpose in addressing the climate emergency.

Countries have a choice:

Put innovation to work; carve out new export markets; and reinvigorate growth and competitiveness;

Or fall back on climate-wrecking, polluting fossil fuels; risk falling behind economically; and watch others reap the rewards of renewables.

I count on Japan to make the right choice — for Japan and for the world.

I also look forward to hearing Japan’s voice on pressing issues of global importance next year, when Japan assumes the presidency of the G7 and membership of the Security Council.

I count on Japan to use its unique position as a bridge-builder and peacemaker to strengthen global cooperation and build trust and solidarity.

And now I will be very happy to take a few questions from the distinguished representatives of the media present in this room.