Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left Japan on Tuesday for New York, where he is set to deliver a speech at a general debate session of the U.N. General Assembly.

“In the face of this complex crisis, we must build an international community working together in harmony, not one in a state of division and conflict,” Kishida told reporters at the prime minister’s office before departing from Tokyo International Airport at Haneda on board a government plane.

“I will work hard to spread in a new way Japan’s original ideas such as human security,” he added.

In his speech to be delivered later Tuesday, Kishida is expected to call for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons and reform of the U.N. Security Council, which has failed to function properly over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prior to the general debate session, Kishida will host a high-level conference on the envisioned Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, which would prohibit the production of highly enriched uranium and plutonium for nuclear weapons purposes.

At the event, he is expected to seek cooperation from participants, including leaders of the so-called Global South emerging and developing countries, to launch negotiations on the treaty.

On Wednesday, Kishida is set to attend a Security Council meeting of national leader-class officials on the situation in Ukraine.

He is expected to criticize Russia for its military aggression against Ukraine and voice his determination to protect international order based on the rule of law.

He is also seen stressing the importance of giving aid to Ukraine and of peacemaking.

Asked whether he will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his trip, Kishida said, “While I don’t expect to hold an individual meeting, I may have a brief conversation.”

During his U.S. trip, Kishida is also scheduled to take part in a meeting on the global public health situation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and another conference on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

At the meetings, Kishida hopes to show Japan’s eagerness to contribute to efforts by the international community and work with the Global South countries.

Kishida is set to return to Japan on Friday.

JIJI Press