The world today is far from peaceful, with Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine since February 2022, the Israeli-Palestinian situation since the terror attack by Hamas and others on October 7, 2023, and other conflicts and discord occurring frequently around the world.
　In these circumstances, we strongly condemn the horrific casualties suffered by many innocent civilians, including children, and are deeply concerned about the disruption to energy, water, and medical supplies, as well as the destruction of cultural heritage and the loss of opportunities for education and cultural activities.
　UNESCO was founded in November 1945, when Japan was still a devastated country. In June 1951, five years before Japan joined the United Nations, Japan’s UNESCO membership was approved, giving people all over Japan hope for a future of peace.
　The current world situation is moving in a direction diametrically opposite to the ideal of “peace” advocated in the Constitution of UNESCO, and we, the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, cannot help but feel a sense of powerlessness.
　However, no matter how long it takes, I believe that true international peace can only be nurtured through education, science, and culture, which come under the jurisdiction of UNESCO.
　The Japanese National Commission for UNESCO strongly hopes that the current situation will improve as soon as possible, precluding any possibility of a return to the situation of 80 years ago. We also hope that humanity will strive to build a peaceful society through education, science, and culture, and we pledge to do our utmost to achieve this goal.

January 2024
HAMAGUCHI Michinari
Chairperson, Japanese National Commission for UNESCO