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 Tokyo, 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 Noboru Takeshita 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. Toshiki Kaifu issues faced in many areas of the world. At the same In 1999, the GEA received the Global 500 Roll of Honour from United Nations 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 Yuriko Koike Tetsuo Saito Fumiaki Sakurai Takashi Shinohara Kayoko Shimizu Shozaburo Jimi 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, Japan 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 Tomiichi Murayama Mikio Aoki Jimmy Carter Jos´e María Figueres Shunichi Suzuki Kazuo Sumi Issei Tajima Seiko Noda 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 Koichi Yamamoto 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 Prime Minister of Japan 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