Japan defends UN reform at G20 foreign ministers meeting in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, February 22 (EFE). – Japan on Thursday at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting held in Rio de Janeiro defended the reform of the United Nations that would allow it to face the challenges of the current situation in the world. Such as the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and between Ukraine and Russia.

The topic is one of the topics promoted by the current Brazilian presidency of the forum and was the focus of discussions by foreign ministers of the world's largest economies on the second and final day of the event.

For the Asian country, it is essential that organizations such as the UN Security Council have “adequate” representation, reflecting the reality of the international community, as Deputy Press Secretary of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Mariko Kaneko, explained to EFE.

This was also expressed by Japan's Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, on Thursday, during her speech, in which she also noted that the reform should include the UN General Assembly, in order to strengthen it with more officials and representatives.

For Japan, Brazil can play an important role in advancing UN reform during its G20 presidency and as one of the most prominent leaders of the so-called Global South.

During the first day of the meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, the Japanese Foreign Minister strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and called for lasting peace to be achieved as soon as possible.

Kamikawa also condemned the terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic movement Hamas, expressed deep concern about the Israeli military operations against Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt, and stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.

Brazil assumed the presidency of the G20 in December 2023, and its term will end in November of this year, with the summit of the bloc's heads of state and government being held in Rio de Janeiro.