The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) organized the international symposium on 23 February 2022 in the hybrid format with approximately 350 registered participants from more than 30 countries. The Under-Secretary-General (USG) Mr. Liu Zhenmin delivered opening message, noting the significant milestone of 50 years and congratulating UNCRD on this Golden Jubilee. The high-level dignitaries who addressed the UNCRD 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium include -- Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan (MLIT), Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs in Japan, Deputy Director General of Ministry of the Environment in Japan, Vice-Governor of Aichi Prefecture, Mayor of Nagoya City, Mayor of Toyota City, among others. The symposium discussed the 50 years of UNCRD's achievement and future goal setting for UNCRD's activities at global and local levels in areas of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs. In commemoration of the UNCRD 50th Anniversary, the Handbook for SDG Monitoring by Local Governments (Version. 2.0 in Japanese) was printed and presented to participants in the symposium.
Date and Time:
14:00-17:30, 23 February 2022 (Japan time)
Venue:
Nagoya International Center (NIC), Annex Hall, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Organizer:
United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)
Co-Organizer:
UNCRD Cooperation Association
Supporting Organization:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan
Programme
1. Opening Remarks
Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations
Mr. Takeshi Akahori, Ambassador / Assistant Minister / Director-General for Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan
Ms. Keiko Morimitsu, Deputy Director General, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
Mr. Sinya Kato, Vice-Governor of Aichi Prefecture
Mr. Takashi Kawamura, Mayor of Nagoya City
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
2. Keynote Speech
Regional Development and Infrastructure: Economic Growth, Disaster Resilience, Environmental Sustainability, and Technological Innovation
Mr. Mikio Yoshioka, Vice-Minister for Engineering Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Government of Japan
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
3. Special Lecture
The Roles of UNCRD in Anthropocene: Transforming Regional Development for Carbon Neutral, QOL Mainstreaming, and SDGs
Prof. Yoshitsugu Hayashi, Distinguished Professor, Chubu University, Japan; and Executive Committee Member, The Club of Rome
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
4. Presentation Session
Trajectory and Future of UNCRD towards Sustainable Regional Development
Facilitator:
Mr. Kazushige Endo, Director, UNCRD
Presentations:
Dr. Monte Cassim, President, Akita International University, "Reflections on working at UNCRD"
Mr. Toshihiko Ota, Mayor, Toyota City, Japan, "Collaboration between UNCRD and Municipality"
Prof. Kenzo Hiroki, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan; and Coordinator, High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), "Activities and Achievements of HELP"
Mr. C.R.C. Mohanty, Environment Programme Coordinator, UNCRD, "Regional EST Forum in Asia and the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific in the Context of SDGs - History and Achievements"
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
5. Panel Discussion
Theme: Ghibli Park, SDGs, Community and Life, and Future and Children
Moderator:
Mr. Tetsuya Okamura, Director, General Manager, and Producer, GHIBLI PARK Co., Ltd.
Panelists:
Ms. Midori Sugino, Deputy Mayor, Nagoya City
Mr. Mutsumi Teranishi, Radio personality (Member of Aichi Prefectural Assembly)
Language: Japanese
6. Closing Remarks
Mr. Kazushige Endo, Director, UNCRD
Language: Japanese/English (simultaneous interpretation)
