Abstract of the Forum (August 9th, 2001)

After an opening address by the Representative Director of the Awaji Conference, Satoshi Iue, the first half of the forum was led by Keiko Nakamura, Deputy Director General of the JT Biohistory Research Hall.

The first keynote proposal was delivered by Yuji Kawaguchi, Director of the WHO Centre for Health Development. Dr. Kawaguchi described the various problems facing Asia related to "Cities and Health," such as population issues and problems associated with ageing societies, while also putting forward recommendations for the resolution of global environmental problems.
Yoshihiko Miyauchi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ORIX Corporation, delivered the second keynote proposal, looking at the environmental situation in Asian countries, and focusing on what measures need to be taken and what role Japan should play in tackling global environmental problems in Asia.
Following the two keynote proposals, Toshio Watanabe, Dean of the Faculty of International Development at Takushoku University, introduced a summary and issues review. Referring to the severe environmental problems in China, Professor Watanabe presented a proposal on how environmental Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) could best be provided, an area in which Japan can contribute, citing the example of the Japan-China Model City Environmental Development Plan. After a break, the second half of the forum was led by Professor Makoto Iokibe of Kobe University and was divided into three sections; a general overview of environmental problems, actual examples of measures being implemented by companies in tackling environmental problems, followed by a return to a general discussion. The 44 forum participants took part in a lively discussion lasting for over two hours.
To close, as the representative of the Awaji Conference Statement Drafting Committee, Professor Iokibe read out a preliminary draft of the Statement for Sustainable Development and the Environment in the Asia Pacific Region, the Condense of the two-day Awaji Conference. The preliminary draft was approved by all the members present.