Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki on the occasion of the UNHCR Pledging Conference.(7 December 2021)

 
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Mr. High Commissioner,
Distinguished colleagues,
 
　Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the High Commissioner and the staff of UNHCR for their dedicated work, often conducted under severe and challenging conditions. Let me also pay my deepest respects to those who have sacrificed their lives by continuing to work even during the pandemic. 
 
Mr. Chair,
 
　According to the latest Global Appeal, the number of persons of concern is projected to exceed 100 million in 2022. The spirit of solidarity is required now more than ever to address mounting challenges. While Japan’s budgetary cycle does not allow for us to make a pledge for 2022 at this timing, I nevertheless would like to express our unwavering commitment to supporting UNHCR.
 
　In 2021, Japan contributed more than 135 million US dollars in total to UNHCR. On top of our core contribution and supplementary budget of 106 million US dollars in total, we provided about 13 million US dollars for two partnership grant projects in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and over 15 million US dollars for emergency operations in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, and Afghanistan and its neighboring countries.  We have also been raising the ratio of non-earmarked funding in our core contribution each year.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
　The pandemic continues to impose significant challenges on us. Ensuring access to vaccines regardless of people’s economic or legal status is the global priority. With this in mind, Japan has provided COVID-19 vaccine-related support in cooperation with the COVAX Facility and other international frameworks. Japan has also announced a total contribution of 1 billion US dollars to the COVAX Facility and the provision of 60 million doses of vaccines to other countries and regions. Japan has distributed approximately 30 million doses so far, including host countries such as Bangladesh and Iran. Japan has also been carrying out its “Last One Mile Support” project to deliver vaccines logistically through providing cold chain equipment such as cold-storage facilities and vehicles to the frontline to ensure access by vulnerable people, including refugees and displaced people. Japan continues to make the utmost effort to protect vulnerable people from the pandemic. 
 
　Finally, we would like to express our deep appreciation to the High Commissioner for his visit to Japan to observe the refugee team in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. His visit highlighted the importance of inclusion of refugees in the field of sports, and Japan would like to explore further collaboration with UNHCR while building on our existing strong partnership.
 
Thank you.