At “the 11th ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting” held in December 2013 in Lao PDR, a new action plan (Pakse Action Plan) was agreed upon. This action plan includes the four policy pillars of 1) transport facilitation, 2) transport infrastructure, 3) quality and sustainable transport, and 4) human resource development to implement cooperation projects. Additionally, at this meeting three new projects: 1) new ASEAN-Japan aviation security project, 2) promotion of ASEAN-Japan road technology exchange, 3) cooperation for promotion of public-private partnership (PPP) as well as to start the discussion for the conclusion of a regional air services agreement between ASEAN and Japan were endorsed.

## (3) Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Of the organizations under the OECD, MLIT participates in the International Transport Forum (ITF), Council Working Party on Shipbuilding, Territorial Development Policy Committee (TDPC), as well as the Joint Transport Research Centre (JTRC) established jointly by OECD and ITF.

The ITF is an international framework of which transport ministers from 54 countries play a central role that meets annually to facilitate discussions with world renowned experts and business people for high-level and free discussions regarding transport policy that previously included discussions on the topics of climate change in the field of transport as well as globalization. At the ministerial meeting in May 2013 on the theme of “transport and funding” including discussions on the utilization of private sector funding as well as the need for procuring budgets. Also, the New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd., was given the ITF2013 Transport Achievement Award (the highest award) for their undertakings following the theme.

The OECD Council Working Party on Shipbuilding implements policy review to evaluate the soundness of shipbuilding policies to ensure fair competitive conditions in the shipbuilding market as well as the creation of policy assistance lists that compile the status of financial assistance of various countries to carry out policy coordination and mutual monitoring among major shipbuilding nations.

At the TDPC, research and other efforts are actively being carried out such as the policy review of member countries concerning national land and regional policies, evaluation of urban policies concerning green growth strategies, research of compact city policies, sustainable urban policies under an aging society. Japan served as the vice chair of the TDPC Ministerial held in December 2013 in France and contributed to compilation of the chair's statement including the intent to pursue resilient urban development in the future.

At the JTRC, research studies are being carried out on topics such as road operations, maintenance and management, optimization of financial resources for development, infrastructure adapted to climate change and extreme weather events; Japan also participates in working groups such as those on the adaptation of infrastructure to climate change and extreme weather events.

## (4) United Nations (UN)

### a. International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Endeavors

As one of the leading shipping and shipbuilding countries in the world, Japan actively participates in IMO activities and plays a leading role. In January 2012, a Japanese national became the Secretary-General for the first time and specifically, actively contributes to initiatives involving important issues such as anti-pirate measures, reduction of greenhouse gases from ships, as well as the organizational and budgetary reform of the IMO.

Also, regarding the “Maritime Labour Convention, 2006” adopted by the ILO was ratified by Japan in August 2013 and will go into effect in Japan in August 2014. Efforts are being promoted to ensure that appropriate labor and living conditions in ships can be provided as required by this convention.

### b. Responses to varied requests from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

ICAO is an international specialized agency of the United Nations, which establishes specific rules in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be operated soundly and economically. Japan makes the second largest financial contribution to ICAO among its Contracting States and has been actively participating in its various activities in order to contribute to the development of