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Home , Kazuo Aichi, Koichi Yamamoto, Kuniko Inoguchi, Mikio Aoki, Motoo Hayashi, Noboru Takeshita

Message from the Chair What’s GEA ?

In the latter half of the 20th Century, after the Industrial Revolution, the human In 1991, during the run-up to the “UN Conference on Environment and Development” (UNCED), race has enjoyed material wealth through astonishing developments in science also known as the Earth Summit, it was becoming clear that the Conference’s success depended and technology. At the same time, we have cast little doubt over the lifestyle of on raising the funds necessary to achieve the preservation of the global environment and sustain - mass production, mass consumption and mass discarding, and are now paying able development. In response to a request from UNCED Secretary-General Maurice Strong, an the price of a serious deterioration in the global environment. International Eminent Persons’ Meeting on Financing Global Environment was convened in , In the 21st century, we must reflect upon our bad deed in the previous century, bringing together former United States President Jimmy Carter and other persons of key stand - and achieve the “environmental century”, setting a common goal prevent any ing, with former Prime Minister playing the main role in organizing the event. First Chair further deterioration in the global environment, the foundation of human survival, The outcomes of this meeting contributed enormously to the success of the Earth Summit. GEA’s Noboru Takeshita and to build a sustainable future. Otherwise, there is no bright future for our origins stem from this eminent Persons’ Meeting and GEA is now a non-governmental organiza - species. tion, founded by former Prime Minster Noboru Takeshita, which counts among its members the It is vital for all nations to strive for greater mutual Japanese Eminent Persons who worked to bring about the initial convening of the Eminent understanding and cooperation, so that they can main - Persons’ Meeting, Diet members regardless of factional affiliation, and other persons of influence tain the global environment in a healthy state for the from government, industry, and academia. Mr. Saito is the GEA’s fourth chair, succeeding Mr. future generation who will lead the world in the new cen - Juro Saito Takeshita, the first, Mr. Kaifu, the second, and Mr. Hiraiwa, the third. In addition, Mr. Jimmy tury. Global environmental problems can only be solved Chair, Carter, 39th president of the United States, and Mr. Jos´e Maria Figueres, former president of the Second Chair by measures that are equal to the seriousness of the Global Environmental Action Republic of Costa Rica, serve as GEA’s international advisors. issues faced in many areas of the world. At the same In 1999, the GEA received the Global 500 Roll of Honour from Environment time, such measures must respect the political, econom - Programme (UNEP) for its contribution to the international community for many years in the area ic, social and cultural differences between countries and of global environment and sustainable development. regions. GEA regularly organizes international conferences to which it invites representatives of world- In order to pass on a wonderful global environment that leading research institutes and international organizations, and individuals with influence over enables the people of the world to enjoy prosperity and international public opinion. Through these conferences, GEA aims to highlight the state of the good health to the next generation, Global Environmental global environment and the crisis it is facing. At the same time, GEA works to raise international Third Chair Action (GEA) remains committed to helping develop solutions to global environ - awareness about proposals adopted at its conferences. Gaishi Hiraiwa mental problems, by working together with community leaders from different countries who are active in a broad range of spheres and who exert significant influence over international public opinion. Organizing Structure of GEA Committee of GEA

Supporting Ministries

Ministry of Ministry of Economy, Ministry of the Environment Trade and Industry Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Education, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Agriculture, Culture, Sports, Science Infrastructure, Forestry and Fisheries and Technology Transport and Tourism

Secretariat

Director General Wakako Hironaka Executive Director Tsunemi Yasumoto Deputy Director Takanori Tanokami Counselor Satoko Kiriyama

1 Members of the Organizing Committee of GEA

Chair Deputy Chair

Juro Saito Wataru Takeshita Shuichi Kato Tetsuo Saito Fumiaki Sakurai Takashi Shinohara Kayoko Shimizu Hirotaka Sugiyama Former President, Former Minister for Former Senior Vice Governor of Tokyo; Former Minister of Chief Administrative Former Senior Vice- Former Minister of Former Minister of Chairman of the House of Reconstruction; Minister of the Former Minister of the Environment; Officer, Chief Ethics Minister of Agriculture, State, Environment State for Financial Board, Mitsubishi Councillors, Member, House of Environment, the Environment, Member, House of and Compliance Forestry and Fisheries; Agency, Japan Services; Former Estate Co., Ltd. Representatives, Japan Japan Representatives, Officer, Astellas Member, House of Minister of Posts and Japan Japan Pharma Inc. Representatives, Telecommunications, Japan Japan

Senior International Advisors Advisors

Toshiki Kaifu Jimmy Carter Jos´e María Figueres Shunichi Suzuki Kazuo Sumi Issei Tajima Motoo Hayashi Hajime Funada Bernard Delmas Kenta Matsunami Former Prime Former Prime Former Chief Thirty-ninth Former President, Minister in charge of Chairman and Former Senior Vice Minister for Internal Former Minister of Former Minister of Chairman, Nihon Member, House of Minister, Japan Minister, Japan Cabinet Secretary, President of the Republic of Costa the Tokyo Olympic and Representative Minister of the Affairs and Economy, Trade and State, Economic Michelin Tire Co., Representatives, Japan United States of Rica Paralympic Games; Director, Hankyu Environment; Communications; Industry; Planning Agency; Ltd. Japan America Member, House of Corporation Member, House of Member, House of Member, House of Member, House of Representatives, Representatives, Representatives, Representatives, Representatives, Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan

Advisors Vice Chair

Yoshio Yatsu Shoichi Kondo Kaneshige Wakamatsu Itaru Yasui Shunichi Yamaguchi Ryoichi Yamamoto Masayoshi Yoshino Isami Wada Former Minister of Former Minister of Former Senior Vice Former State Honorary Advisor, Former Minister of Honorary Chair, the Minister for Chairman & Agriculture, the Environment; Minister of the Minister for National Institute of State; Member, International Green Reconstruction; Representative Forestry and Member, House of Environment; Reconstruction; Technology and House of Purchasing Member, House of Director, Sekisui Fisheries, Japan Representatives, Member, House of Member, House of Evaluation (NITE); Representatives, Network; Professor Representatives, House, Ltd. Japan Representatives, Councillors, Japan Professor Emeritus, Japan Emeritus, the Japan Japan the University of Tokyo University of Tokyo

Supporting Members Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. Director Tokyo Electric Power Company Members General

Wakako Hironaka Hiroshi Itsuki Eisei Ito Kuniko Inoguchi Hiromichi Iwasa Hiroo Unoura Former Minister of Singer Former Vice Chair, Former Minister of Chairman and Chief President and CEO, State, Environment Chair, Green Earth 21 GEA; Former mem - State; Member, Executive Officer, Nippon Telegraph Agency, Japan ber, House of House of Mitsui Fudosan and Telephone Representatives, Councillors, Japan Co., Ltd. Corporation Japan

2 3 Mar. “Global Partnership Summit on Environment” is held - Held in collaboration with the UNDPCSD. *1 Activities of GEA - Tokyo Declaration 1997 is announced at the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

1991 Feb. Established as the secretariat of “Eminent Their Imperial Highnesses Chairperson for the whole Persons’ Meeting on Financing Global the Crown Prince conference, Naruhito and the Crown Brigitta Dahl, Speaker of Environment and Development” Princess Masako the Swedish Parliament - Established as an NGO to contribute to solving

global environmental problems and promoting Albert Gore, Jr.,Vice President of 1991 sustainable development. the United States of America Noboru Takeshita, Former Dec. Participates in COP3 *2 in Kyoto : GEA organizes “Japan Day” - Japan’s efforts to 1992 Apr. “Eminent Persons’ Meeting on Financing Global Environment and tackle environmental Development” is held problems are outlined in - In his opening speech, the prime minister pointed out the need for a law to meet the presence of the demands of the “new era of the global environment.” This led to the enact - prominent figures from ment of the Basic Environment Law. different countries 1992 - Tokyo Declaration on Financing Global Environment and Development is around the world. Conference hall of COP3 GEA Chair Gaishi Hiraiwa chats announced. with “Japan Day” participants

Jun. Participates in Rio Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) 1998 Jun. “Workshop on Responses to Climate Change in Northeast Asia” is held -The result of “Eminent Persons’ Meeting on Financing Global Environment and - Long-term strategies for climate change are formulated, based on a study on Development” is announced at the Special Session. optimum technology and projects for the Northeast Asia region. 1998 Nov. Participates in COP4 in Buenos Aires 1994 Oct. “Tokyo Conference on Global Environmental Action” is held - Tokyo Declaration 1994 is announced to the world, proposing strengthening of 1999 Jun. “World Conference on Global Commons, Japan ’99” is held international dialogue relating to sustainable development. - Held in collaboration with the UNDESA. *3 - The “Tokyo Declaration” is adopted, presenting various measures to reinforce 1994 〜95 1999international efforts to address global environmental problems.

Jose´ Maria Figueres, Keizo Obuchi, Prime Former President of Costa Minister of Japan General conference Progress of the conference Rica, making a special address

Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince 1995 Nov. The organization is named “Global Environmental Action” Naruhito and the Crown Princess Masako

Jun. Granted the Global 500 Roll of Honour by UNEP 1997 Jan. “The Environmental Summit ’97 for Designated Cities” is held - GEA is awarded the Global 500 Role of Honour by UNEP (United Nations - In collaboration with 12 government-designated cities in Japan, the Environment Programme). This award is bestowed on indi - Environment Agency, Global Environmental Action, and UNEP International viduals or organizations in recognition of outstanding contri - Environment Technology Center jointly issue the “Environmental Declaration by butions to the protection Government-Designated Cities” to outline ideas and directions for reforming GEA Chair Gaishi Hiraiwa (right), and improvement of the receiving a medal from Klaus Topfer 1997 large cities to promote environmental conservation for the new century. (left), Executive-Director of the United environment for the support Nations Environment Programme of sustainable development. (UNEP)

4 5 Oct. “Conference on Global Environmental Crisis” is held - The “Conference on Global Environmental Crisis,” involving participants from Activities of GEA various research institutes and international organizations and prominent individ - uals with influence on international public opinion, is held to alert and warn the people of the world about the many serious problems faced by the earth. - The conference adopts proposals for promoting international dialogue on the realization of sustainable development and on approaches to making reforms to cultivate environmental partnerships.

Oct. Seminar on “Report from World Conference on Global Commons, Japan ’99” is held at COP5 in Bonn - The “Tokyo Declaration,” adopted at the “World Conference on Global Commons, Japan ’99,” is H.I.H. the Crown Prince Robert T. Watson, 1999announced during the seminar. Naruhito Chairman of IPCC Masahisa Aoki, Director-General Conference hall of GEA International Advisory Committee for Virtual Globe is formed - A committee is established to organize a project designed to utilize the Internet Nov. “Fureai Shizen-Juku (Nature School) Symposium” is held to support environmental NGOs in developing countries. - “Fureai Shizen-Juku” (Nature School) is a facility for environmental study, where people can enjoyably learn about the importance of the natural 2002 Aug. Hosts “Japan Day” at the World Summit on environment through observation of Sustainable Development in Johannesburg nature, direct contact with animals - Introduced Japan’s efforts to solve environmental and plants, and living experiences. problems to the international community. Included After case studies in nature school the showing of a video describing, and drawing management at national and local 20 02 lessons from, Japan’s experience in realizing eco - governmental facilities are present - nomic development while also overcoming terrible ed at the symposium, influential From left, House of pollution problems and the holding of a symposium Representatives Member Yoshio individuals engage in discussions Yatsu, former Prime Minister Sukio Iwatare, Director- C. W. Nicol and on water and forest problems. based on the examples. General of GEA the children

2003 Oct. “Conference for Sustainable Future: Education, IT and Natural Resources” is held 2000 May Participates in the Millennium Forum - Placing the spotlight on education, information technology, and natural (United Nations Head-quarter, New York) resources, the conference discussed what can be done and what should be - GEA recommends the establishment of an Internet- done for the sake of a sustainable future. The adopted proposals were sched - based environmental foundation, and obtains sup - 2003 uled to be reflected in the UNESCO Action Plan for the promotion of the UN port for this proposal at the forum. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, proposed by the Japanese 2000 , Member, House of Representatives, Japan government and adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Two other events were also held – the Eco Youth Conference just before the main conference and a symposium on the UN Decade of Education Oct. “Global Environment 2000” is held for Sustainable Development on the final day of the conference. - The conference reviews the environmental prob - lems of the 20th century and looks at the major global-scale environmental challenges of the 21st century, as well as measures for tackling them.

Members of the conference Prime Minister Junichiro Chairperson of the Eco Koizumi Youth Conference

2001 Jul. Accredited with NGO special consultative status by GEA Chair Their Imperial Highnesses the Juro Saito Crown Prince Naruhito and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) the Crown Princess Masako

HRH Princess Basma bint Steven C. Rockefeller, Talal of the Hashemite Chairman of the Rockefeller 20 01 Kingdom of Jordan speaks Brothers Fund at the symposium. 6 7 Jun. GEA International Eco Youth Conference in the Asia-Pacific Region Activities of GEA - This conference was held as a related event of the Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific, an environment ministers’ meeting sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, with the objective of reviewing the state of progress of resolutions of the GEA International Eco Youth Conference held in 2003. The conference brought together young people who are enthusiastically tackling environmental problems in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss efforts to build an environment-oriented international community for sustainable development. Start of the VG Secondhand Personal Computer Donation Program - As part of the Virtual Globe Project to support environmental NGOs, a second - hand PC donation program is started with the cooperation of NTT Corp. and Microsoft Corp. As the first stage, a total of 600 secondhand PCs are donated to educational institutions, including elementary, junior high, and senior high 20 03schools in Ehime, Fukuoka, and Chiba Prefectures.

2004 Jul. Visit to Southeast Asia - As part of efforts to promote the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, pro - Scene of the conference Environment Minister Yuriko Koike and participants posed by Japan at the World Summit on 2004 Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, a visit Oct. GEA International Conference ’05: Climate Change and was made to Asian countries to inspect projects Its Effect on Sustainable Development being undertaken by local environmental NGOs GEA Vice Chair Shozaburo Jimi (left) - This conference was held, with the participation of learned persons from Japan and NPOs. and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan and overseas, to discuss the linkage of scientific opinion and policies relating to Van Khai (right) the impact of climate change on sustainable development. Their Imperial Highnesses the Sep. “Message from Asia on the UN Decade of Education for Crown Prince Naruhito and Sustainable Development” seminar is held the Crown Princess Masako - Together with the Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), the GEA held a joint seminar at the AIT with the participation of representatives of NGOs and NPOs and international organizations active in Southeast Asia. The aims of the seminar were to hear the opinions of people involved locally from the per - spective of education for sustainable development (ESD), to spread ESD as a practical activity in the Asia region, and to broaden the circle of cooperation and support from the interna - tional community by trans - mitting a message about From left: AIT President Jean-Louis GEA Vice Chair the achievements of this Armand, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Wakako Hironaka Thailand Krasae Chanawongse, and delivers a keynote campaign. GEA Director General Kazuo Aichi speech.

2005 May Start of Green Earth 21 Prime Minister Dr. Paul Crutzen, who received the Nobel Prize in - The Green Earth 21 project to promote Chemistry in 1995, delivers a keynote speech. environmental conservation activities through music was started. On May 21 2005 and 22 a charity concert was held amid the grand nature of Aso-Kuju National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture with the participation of Hiroshi Itsuki, Aki Yashiro, Tomomi Kahara, and other artists. GEA Advisor Toshiki Kaifu and singer Hiroshi Itsuki plant a tree at the foot of Mount Aso.

8 9 2007 Mar. GEA Virtual Globe Environmental NPO/ NGO Evaluation Meeting - A report was delivered on the state of implementation of environmental preser - Activities of GEA vation activities in developing countries by the Virtual Globe Project, which was launched in 2002, and their effects 2007 were examined and evaluated.

The Virtual Globe NGO Meeting: Internet use for vitalizing environmental conservation activities by NPOs and NGOs - This meeting, participated in by Asian environmental NGOs regis - tered in the GEA’s Virtual Globe 20 05 Participants at the GEA Virtual Globe Meeting Project to support NGOs in develop - ing countries, discussed the possi - bilities for using the Internet for the promotion of environmental conser - Oct. GEA International Conference ’07: Policy Approaches for vation activities. Realizing a Sustainable Future — Building a New Framework on Climate Change - Ahead of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit that will be held in Japan in 2008, Scene of the conference eminent persons from Japan and overseas were invited to discuss policy approaches centered on the problem of climate change. The Special Lecture was delivered by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on *4 Dec. Participates in COP11 and MOP1 Climate Change (IPCC), which, together with former US Vice-President Al Gore, - The proposals of the GEA International Conference ’05: Climate Change and Its was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Also, on the day before the confer - Effect on Sustainable Development, held in October, were announced at a sub- ence, the GEA, together with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the World event of COP11 to the UNFCC C*5 and MOP1 held in Montreal. Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), held a Private Roundtable on Climate Change Policy and Japan.

Richard Kinley, the offi - GEA Director General cer-in-charge at UNFC - Hiroshi Ohki announcing CC, shakes hands with the proposals of the GEA Hiroshi Ohki, Director International General of GEA. Conference ’05.

Scene of the COP11 conference Scene of the GEA International Conference

Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 2006 Jun. Virtual Globe Environmental NPO/NGO Meeting Change (IPCC) Rajendra. K. Pachauri at - Following on from the NGO meeting in 2005, this meeting invited environmental the Special Lecture NGOs in developing countries that are promoting environmental conservation activities in Asia to discuss more effective and concrete methods of support in 2006 order to further activate the environmental conservation activities in each region. NGO meeting participants attend a lec - ture about Eco Asia.

At the meeting

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito Prime Minister

Participants with GEA members

10 11 conference, Asia’s major environmental organizations were invited from five coun - tries – Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka – for the Asia NPO/NGO Activities of GEA International Conference. The application of innovative environmental technology to meet the conditions in Asia and its regional partnerships was discussed there. The results of the conference were delivered to COP15’s related meeting and contributed to rouse international public opinion to guide practical actions.

2008 May “Minamata International Environmental Seminar for Realizing a Sustainable Society” is held - Under the theme of “Learning from Japan’s 2008 Pollution Experience and Creating a Bright Future,” the GEA held in collabora - tion with the Ministry of the Environment and Participants at the Minamata City, an interna - Asia NPO/NGO tional seminar with the International Conference participation of NPOs and NGOs from six Asian countries at Minamata City in Kumamoto Prefecture. Panelists with the participants from six Asian countries 2010 Sep. “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity” symposium is held - Ahead of the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in in October, GEA organized a symposium under the theme of “Post-2010 Target and 2009 Oct. GEA International Conference ’09: Promoting Technologies and 2010 Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS): To Continue Receiving Policies toward a Low-carbon Society the Benefits of Biodiversity into - At the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in September, then Prime the Future” and invited NPOs Minister declared that Japan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Asia and eminent persons 2009 by 25 percent by 2020 from the 1992 level. This year’s GEA International Conference from Japan and overseas to discussed science and technologies that would be effective to realize a low-carbon discuss settlement procedures society and policies that should be adopted to promote its progress. Along with this for the serious dichotomy between countries for adopting an international protocol.

Panel Discussion

Oct. The Result Report at a COP10 side event - The results of the GEA symposium are reported at a Conference on Biological H.I.H. the Crown Prince Naruhito Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama Diversity (CBD) and education for sustainable development organized by the Japan Asia-Pacific Committee for Earth Charter. Policy proposals for the Nagoya Protocol are submitted at the Legislators’ Meeting on Biodiversity hosted by the Secretariat of the COP10 to the CBD, Ministry of the Environment and GLOBE International.

President’s Counsil of Advisors Emil Salim of Indonesia at the Special Lecture

12 13 2012 Jun. Rio+20 — United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - On the sidelines of Rio+20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a Japan Day Activities of GEA seminar was held in the Japan Pavilion on June 20, 2012. A summary of the activ - ities and outcomes of the GEA International Conference 2011 was reported at the 2012first session and a panel discussion was held at the third session to debate on cli - mate change countermeasures. Several meetings with executives of international organizations, including Executive Secretary for 2011 Oct. GEA International Conference 2011: “Building Sustainable the Convention on Biological Societies through Reconstruction: Working with the International Diversity Braulio Ferreira de Community for Regenerating Japan’’ Souza Dias and Vice President of - Japanese and international experts discussed future directions for a new Japan the Asian Development Bank 2011after the Great East Japan Earthquake, reviewing a lifestyle based on mass pro - Bindu N. Lohani, were arranged duction and consumption. Adnan Z. Amin, director general of the International along with the conference. Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, and said renewable energy would be essential for Japan to recon - Rio+20 Japan Pavilion struct the devastated areas and could play a vital role in opening a new path toward long-term growth. GEA makes efforts to translate the conference out - comes into meaningful policy proposals and effective measures, and reports the results at various international conferences such as Rio+20 in Brazil.

GEA Director General Wakako Hiroshi Ohki, Advisor of GEA, From left: Wakako Hironaka, Hironaka announcing the out - participating in Director General of GEA; Braulio comes of the GEA International a panel discussion Ferreira de Sauza Dias, Executive Conference ’11 Secretary for the Convention on Biological Diversity; Hiroshi Ohki, Advisor of GEA

2013 Oct. GEA International Conference 2013: “Advancing from Rio + 20 His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito toward a Sustainable Future: Economic Revitalization and Contribution to the International Society through Green Economy” 2013 - Based on the results of Rio+20, initiatives aimed at realizing a sustainable future were discussed at this conference. At the opening ceremony, Dr. Yuan Tseh Lee, President of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (1986), gave a keynote speech on the theme of the “Transformation for a Sustainable Future.” In the speech, he introduced the “Future Earth” initiative and expressed his expectation of Japan’s leadership. The results of this conference were widely introduced at a conference related to the COP19, which was held in Warsaw, Poland, in November. Prime Minister Adnan Z. Amin, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Dr. Yuan Tseh delivering a keynote speech Lee (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1986)

Katsunobu Kato, Deputy (On behalf of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and the Crown Princess Masako

14 15 2015 Oct. GEA International Conference 2015: “Policies and Measures to Cope with Climate Change and towards a Sustainable Society” Activities of GEA - At the opening ceremony, Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), gave a keynote speech in the pres - 20 15ence of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and the Crown Princess Masako and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Executive Director deliv - ered a speech on the theme of “The Power of Policy and Technology.” He stat - ed, “The year 2015 has been a very special year in which the international com - munity is seeking to take a historic step. Now is precisely an opportunity for 2014 July Visit to Taiwan by the GEA delegates on invitation from the transformation and the last chance for acting to achieve the goal of two degrees. Government of the Republic of (Taiwan) We must decarbonize our economies for future generations.” - Having Wakako Hironaka, GEA Director General, as the leader of the delega - tion, as well as Koichi Yamamoto, GEA Vice Chair, Shoichi Kondo, GEA Vice 2014Chair and Shunichi Suzuki, former Minister of the Environment, as the deputy leaders, the GEA delegates visited Taipei City and had a meeting with key local figures such as Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, Lin Yung-lo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Shin-Cheng Yeh, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection Administration. In the meeting, the delegates expressed their gratitude for the prompt support provided by Taiwan following the Great East Japan Earthquake. They also exchanged opinions regarding bilat - Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and the Crown Princess eral cooperation mainly in the environmental field and confirmed that both par - Masako ties would make efforts to promote Japan-Taiwan environmental cooperation.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner delivers a keynote speech.

Nov. – Dec. The outcomes of the GEA Meeting with Ma Ying-jeou, International Conference President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 2015 are reported at the Japan Pavilion, the venue of a side event of the COP21 Nov. The ESD seminar was held on the sideline of the UNESCO World in Paris Conference - As part of the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which took place from November 10–12 in Nagoya, a semi -

nar was jointly held with the Earth Charter, Asia Pacific & Japan Committee, for At the Japan Pavilion, the venue of a side event of the which Director General Hironaka serves as the representative. Dr. Shin-Cheng COP21 in Paris. Yeh, Deputy Minister for Environmental Protection 2016 Jul. Supports of the “International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Administration, R.O.C. (Taiwan), was Pacific (ISAP2016)” organized by the Institute for Global invited as a special guest, and a pre - Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the UNU-IAS *6 in Yokohama sentation on “The role of the Earth Charter in the framework of Education for Sustainable Development, accom - 20 16 plishments and challenges” was given. *1 UNDPCSD= United Nations Department of Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development The seminar was a great success with *2 COP= Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change *3 a full audience. UNDESA= United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Dr. Shin-Cheng Yeh, Deputy Minister for *4 MOP= Meeting of the Parties Environmental Protection Administration, R. O. C. *5 UNFCCC= United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Taiwan) *6 UNU-IAS= United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

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