Speech Transcripts

Dr. Peter Maurer, President of International Committee of the Red Cross,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honored to have the opportunity to speak at this very important occasion. Dr. Maurer and I first met in New York in 2004. Back then, we both believed Human Security is a very important concept. Needless to say, I am very happy that we are holding this event together today.

When we met again in Davos in January of this year, I found we both recognize the renewed importance of Human Security now that the world is becoming more and more unstable. We both agreed we should revisit the concept of Human Security and highlight its significance for global society. Today's event is one of our first efforts to do so.

For more than a century, ICRC has been the champion in protecting victims of conflicts and addressing the serious threats to Human Security, with its leading role in humanitarian work. JICA, in our case, more recently in the past two decades, has been trying to operationalize Human Security in its development cooperation activities. It gives JICA a great honor to partner with ICRC to draw attention to the renewed importance of Human Security at this volatile time.

Human Security is a concept that aims to build a world where everyone can live in dignity, free from fear and want, through the protection and empowerment of individuals. UNDP first introduced this concept in 1994. The Government of Japan adopted Human Security as one of its basic policies for development cooperation in 2003, and has promoted the concept ever since.

I think the concept of Human Security is deeply imbedded in Japan's own development history. Japan has focused on building up Human Security through investments in education, health, the rule of law, and disaster risk reduction. The country's development success is now attributed to these efforts.

25 years have passed since UNDP first introduced the concept of Human Security. In the past 25 years, while some threats have become more evident, new challenges are emerging to become serious threats. Now let me address three challenges to achieving Human Security in today's global context.

The first challenge regards peace and order. As globalization proceeds, intolerance between different ethnic and religious groups is rising while people's identities and traditions are increasingly coming under threat. Meanwhile, vital aspects of human dignity, like the rule of law and freedom of speech, continue to be violated. In response, we have to give special attention to those most disadvantaged in order to realize the rule of law on the ground. At the same time, to realize long-lasting peace and a resilient society, it is very important to promote a culture of reconciliation and cooperation. It's not easy to realize it, of course. However, collaboration at community development, or sports activities, would play a part in fostering peace and reconciliation among different ethnic groups.

The second challenge involves poverty, inequality, and aging societies. We now see widening social and economic inequalities. In addition to challenges in maternal and child health and stunting, many countries are now facing the challenge of aging. To address the gap in education, we must prioritize women's and girls' empowerment by ensuring they receive a minimum of 12 years of quality education.

The third challenge relates to climate change, environmental degradation, and technological advancement. In recent years, large-scale natural disasters caused by climate change have increased the need for disaster risk reduction. Furthermore, we are seeing rapid advances in technologies like AI, or Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and drones. In order to build a better society for everyone and prevent humans from being cast aside in an increasingly technology-driven world, we must ensure our development activities take a "human-centered" approach.

I will now introduce some of JICA's efforts to build the foundation for realizing Human Security, namely in health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, and the private sector engagement to further its impact.

Now, let me touch upon JICA's significant activities to build societies where everyone in Africa can enjoy health and dignity through UHC, or Universal Health Coverage. One example is our policy support, through technical advisors and concessional loans, to strengthen health systems and operationalize health insurance mechanisms in Kenya and Senegal. Both countries have increased remarkably the availability of health facilities and services, as well as health insurance coverage for the poor.

While Japan achieved UHC in 1961, consequently achieving some of the highest health outcomes in the world, at present, it faces serious and growing fiscal pressures that make reforms around UHC necessary. By sharing Japan's successes, experiences, challenges, and lessons learned with our partner countries, JICA wishes to enhance their efforts to achieve UHC and enable them to plan for a bright future.

At this point, I should also mention IFNA, or the Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa, launched at TICAD 6. To improve food and nutrition security in line with IFNA, JICA applies Japan's own experience of improving nutritional conditions. It includes such elements as guidance for improving dietary habits through agricultural development; the dissemination of nutrition guidance at health centers; and the provision of school meals.

JICA wishes to work closely with various partners for these endeavors, including with private companies. It should also be noted that innovative companies like SARAYA, whose President Mr. Saraya is with us today, are working diligently to enhance hygiene. In fact, SARAYA is now supporting the efforts to fight against the Ebola crisis by raising awareness about proper hygiene and with its products, like a high-level disinfectant. JICA also tries to promote new ideas and technologies that address challenges in the health sector by engaging more actively with private companies.

As the first country to promote Human Security on the international stage, Japan takes pride in seeing this concept transform into the basis of the SDGs. In today's world, JICA aims to make strengthening efforts to realize Human Security part of its core mission, while recognizing the value of innovation and partnerships to tackle ongoing and emerging challenges.

Finally, I would like to conclude by encouraging everyone, particularly our panel, to actively, and candidly, discuss how we can better work together and introduce innovative approaches toward achieving Human Security in Africa.

Thank you very much.