Symposium "Toward Stabilization of Timor-Leste: UN Peacebuilding Activities and Japan's Role"

March 2, 2007

On March 14 (Wed), a symposium entitled "Toward Stabilization of Timor-Leste: UN Peacebuilding Activities and Japan's Role" will be held in Tokyo (at Hotel Okura). This symposium is organized by the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
H.E. Mr. Xanana Gusmao, President of Timor-Leste, will be among the main participants in this symposium. Other participants will include Japanese officials from the Self Defense Forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
There will be a keynote speech by President Gusmao, as well as by Dr. Yasushi Akashi, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. These will be followed by a panel discussion, taking into consideration the possibility that Timor-Leste, to which Japan has been consistently providing assistance, will be taken up by the Peacebuilding Commission in the near future. Major points of discussion will include:
- (1) The current situation and challenges in Timor-Leste
- (2) Issues in relation to assistance by the United Nations including the Peacebuilding Commission and by the international community
- (3) How the international community should conduct peacebuilding activities in a post-conflict state
- (4) How should Japan be engaged in the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission as a proponent of human security.

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