Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
Briefing on Asia Pacific Water Forum and First Asia Pacific Water Summit
New President Yoshiro Mori Calls for Team Spirit to Counter Water Issues
A briefing on the Asia Pacific Water Forum, established in September, and the First Asia Pacific Water Summit scheduled to take place in Oita in December 2007 was conducted for Embassy officials in Tokyo at the TDLC on November 14, 2006.
Taking over from President Ryutaro Hashimoto, who passed away earlier this year, the new President of the Japan Water Forum (JWF), former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori attended the briefing, addressing over 60 representatives from Embassies, the Japanese government, Asia Development Bank and JICA. Mr. Mori also serves as President of APWF and Chair of the Summit.
Reflecting on his student days as a rugby player, President Mori spoke of the “one for all, all for one” spirit of the sport, and promised, “I hope to apply this spirit, and do our best to cooperate as we embark on the activities of the Asia Pacific Water Forum”.
The idea for the APWF was hatched during the regional process leading up to the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico in 2005 as it became clear that water-related issues and challenges were common across the entire region. The APWF was established as an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-political network. It seeks to contribute to sustainable water management to achieve MDG targets in the Asia Pacific by capitalizing on the region’s diversity and rich history of experience in dealing with water. Specifically, the APWF will support efforts aimed at boosting investment, building capacity, and enhancing cooperation in the water sector at the regional level and beyond.
At the briefing, Senior Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya described Japan’s efforts in water and sanitation, noting that between 2000 and 2005, Japan’s ODA in this area totaled 4.6 billion dollars. Japan also hosted the Third World Water Forum in 2003, “leading international discussion on water issues”.
Mr. Kyosuke Shinozawa, Governor of JBIC, Mr. Michio Tanahashi, Director General of Water Resources, MLIT, Mr.Yukio Yoshimura, World Bank Vice President and Special Representative in Tokyo, also expressed their commitment to resolve water issues.
From Oita, the designated site of the First Asia Pacific Water Summit, Oita Governor Katsusada Hirose and President Monte Cassim of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, the venue of the meetings, were also in attendance. Both gave an enthusiastic welcome to participants, explaining that Beppu City is known for its innovative use of hot springs to serve multiple purposes, and is a particularly appropriate place to deepen discussions on water.
