### 3. Addressing Global Issues

## (1) Environment and Climate Change Issues

International discussions on environmental issues began in the 1970s. Through discussions at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, also called the Earth Summit) in 1992 and at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) of 2002, their importance has been increasingly recognized. At the

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## • Environmental Pollution Control

With Japanese great experience and technology Japan is working for the resolution of pollution issues in developing countries. In particular, Japan supports measures against pollution and the improvement of the living environment

## • Climate Change

Climate change threatens human security (see the figure on page 32) with disregard for national borders. Because it is an urgent issue for humankind, international community including both developed and developing countries should work together to strengthen measures to address the climate change.

In October 2010, Japan hosted Aichi-Nagoya Ministerial Meeting of the REDD+ Partnership in Nagoya co-chaired by Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Maehara and Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs Trade and Immigration Samuel T. Abal. At the

meeting, direction was formulated to accelerate efforts toward the preservation of forests in developing countries (REDD+)¹¹, one of the important pillars of climate change. In addition, Japan collaborated closely with the host country Mexico and other countries at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), resulting in the adoption of the Cancun Agreements that lead to the establishment of a comprehensive international framework, including major greenhouse gas emitters like the United States and China. The Cancun Agreements stipulate the establishment of the “Green Climate Fund” to support developing countries in the field of climate change, and the launch of a transitional

G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit held in July 2008, the environment and climate change were taken up as one of the major themes and constructive discussions were held. The entire international community must address the environmental issues to ensure the prosperity of humankind in the future.

in urban areas (measures against air pollution, prevention of water contamination, waste management, etc.), mainly in Asian countries that are achieving rapid economic growth.

committee to design it. Japan hosted the Second Meeting of the Transitional Committee for the design of the Green Climate Fund in Tokyo, July 2011, and has actively contributed to the process of the basic design of this fund in COP17. Further, in 2009 Japan pledged $15 billion up to 2012, including public and private finance to support developing countries that actively making efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that being particularly vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change. Japan has already implemented over $12.5 billion as of the end of October 2011.

A Senior Volunteer provides technical guidance for a water quality test at the National Institute of Water in Argentina with equipment provided as part of the “Project on Establishment of Control Capacity for Industrial Wastewater and Water (Project for Technical Capacity Development for Industrial Wastewater and Waste Pollution Mitigation)” (Photo: Shinichi Kuno/JICA)