Cooperation on Global Challenges
1. Overview
2. The U.S.-Japan Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective
(1) Overview
(2) Major Accomplishments
THE SIX MOST DISTINGUISHED STORIES OF THE COMMON AGENDA
(3) Cooperation with the Private Sector
1. Overview
Japan and the United States, aiming towards a common goal of establishing peaceful and prosperous world in the 21st Century, have been making cooperative efforts in tackling global challenges.
In June 2001, Japan and the United States announced the Partnership for Security and Prosperity. In that Partnership, Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush recognized the past cooperative efforts of the two countries in tackling complex global challenges, and pledged to build on these successes to further expand bilateral global cooperation.
In his remarks to the Diet on February 2002, President Bush pointed out the importance of cooperation between Japan and the United States in various areas such as development, education, science and environment.
Many of the cooperative efforts are still on going, and these cooperative efforts will continue in various areas.
2. The U.S.-Japan Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective (the Common Agenda)
(1) Overview
Japan and the United States launched the Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective (the Common Agenda) in July 1993 with the aim of jointly seeking solutions to global problems, such as increasingly pressing environmental degradation, overpopulation, and damage from both natural and man-made disasters.
The Common Agenda was not just bilateral cooperative relationship between Japan and the U.S., it was characterized by their joint efforts to tackle global challenges. Through these efforts, some of the joint projects and researches have expanded into broader cooperation in which by other countries and international organizations participated. That aspect also made the Common Agenda different from ordinary bilateral cooperation.
The Common Agenda rested on four pillars: promoting health and human development; responding to challenges to global stability; protecting the global environment; and advancing science and technology. Under these four pillars, approximately 100 projects in 18 specific areas were conducted to date.
These activities came under review once a year at a plenary meeting at the vice-ministerial level (Japan: Deputy Foreign Minister; U.S.: Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. At this meeting, representatives of both countries confirmed the status of on-going projects and discussed on future priority areas.
Joint Report on the U.S.-Japan Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective was submitted by Deputy Foreign Minister Yoshiji Nogami and Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Frank Loy to Prime Minister Mori and President Clinton in July, 2000. In this report, it was affirmed that:
- in many cases, the initiative and leadership shown by the U.S. and Japan has catalyzed international efforts, and made great contributions to multilateral programs, such as in the protection of coral reefs and in the eradication of polio from many regions of the globe;
- programs that began bilaterally, such as the ARGO program and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, have caught the attention of other countries, which, recognizing the importance of the effort, decided to join that effort.
- one of the most significant developments of our bilateral cooperation in recent years has been the developments of new links between government, the private sector, academia and civil society organizations (CSO's and NGO's).
(2) Major Accomplishments
Under the framework of the Common Agenda, there was remarkable progress in the cooperation between various organizations of the governments of Japan and the United States and many of them are still ongoing. Especially, cooperation in such areas as aid cooperation, policy dialogues, and research has made outstanding progress. The following are examples of such accomplishments.
Promoting Health and Human Development
This was one of the most successful pillars of the Common Agenda, where Japan-U.S. aid cooperation resulted most effective.
One of the areas which gave the most satisfactory results was in the field of population and health, such as combating against infectious diseases. Apart from the field of population and health, there was cooperation in the fields of emerging and re-emerging infections diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, women in development (WID), and global food supply.
Environmental Protection
In the field of environmental conservation policy, both Japan and the United States have actively pursued solutions to such problems as climate change, bio-diversity, toxic wastes, and the destruction of the ozone layer. Among other cooperation fields undertaken under this pillar are development assistance for the environment, global change research, environmental and energy-efficient technologies, environmental education, and ocean drilling.
Advancing Science and Technology
Under this pillar, Japan and the United States conducted a joint research under the Civil Industrial Technology Initiative while seeking the participation of the private sector. Cooperation in the fields of transport and Educational Technology for the Twenty-first Century were also conducted under this pillar.
Responding to Challenges to Global Stability
In order to combat international trafficking in narcotic drugs, a joint crop-substitution program was undertaken in Peru and Laos. Cooperation projects were also conducted by UNDCP. in dealing with natural disasters like earthquakes. Cooperation to prevent organized crimes and man-made disasters, such as oil spills, as well as to enhance civil society and democratization were also conducted.
THE SIX MOST DISTINGUISHED STORIES OF THE COMMON AGENDA
(3) Cooperation with the Private Sector
The Common Agenda started as a cooperation between the governments of Japan and the United States. With the passage of time, there was an increase in the involvement of NGOs/CSOs, which has contributed tremendously to the spread of the Common Agenda.
It was also stated in the Joint Report on the U.S.-Japan Common Agenda for Cooperation in Global Perspective that one of the most significant developments of our bilateral cooperation in recent years has been the development of new links between government, the private sector, academia and civil society organizations.
The Common Agenda Round Table (CART)
The Common Agenda Round Table (CART), chaired by honorary Japan Business Federation Chairman Gaishi Hiraiwa, was active from February 1996 to June 2002 to explore global issues through regular meetings and to offer recommendations and guidance to the government.. CART was represented by intellectuals from the business, academic, as well as NGO circles and has contributed to the spread of the Common Agenda.
Cooperation with Japanese NGOs
The CSO Network was organized in December 1999 with the participation of Japanese NGOs interested in the Common Agenda. The Network cooperates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as well as CART, and it continues to be active in promoting U.S.-Japan cooperation even after the conclusion of CART, by cooperating closely with the U.S. NGOs.
Establishment of U.S. counterpart organization
Public-Private Partnership (P3) was founded in the United States with the participation of major NGOs to enhance further dialogue and cooperation between the U.S. and Japanese private sectors on addressing key global problems.
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