Countries & Regions

1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka to Japan, and said the Government of Japan is working proactively to create “a society in which women shine.” Prime Minister Abe said that he is placing an emphasis on strengthening cooperation with UN Women in particular, as he said at the United Nations General Assembly last year. Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka responded by saying that Prime Minister Abe’s address helped raise the profile of UN Women which aims to realize women’s economic empowerment. She said she concurs with Japan’s policies and wants to cooperate with Japan towards the common goal.

2. Prime Minister Abe said that this year, Japan is scheduled to contribute over 10 million U.S. dollars to UN Women, while Japan is decreasing financial contributions to other international organizations, and said that this is an indication of the emphasis that Japan places on UN Women. He also said that in the domestic sphere, women’s active participation is positioned at the center of Japan’s growth strategies, and measures to realize such environment are steadily implemented. In the international sphere, Japan will continue to cooperate in African and other countries to realize a society where women’s opportunities to participate are guaranteed. In response, Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka expressed gratitude for Japan’s increased contribution. She said she will positively consider participating in the symposium that Japan plans to hold to realize a society in which women shine as Executive Director of UN Women, which performs coordinating functions in the UN system in the areas of women, their economic empowerment, peace and security.

3. At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe and Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka confirmed that the Government of Japan and UN Women will continue to strengthen their cooperation.