
	Lyon Summit Information

Japan's Initiatives at the Lyon Summit

June 29, 1996

I. Initiative on Africa

A. The Second Meeting of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-II)

In 1993, Japan hosted the First Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-I), which made significant achievement in promoting the development of African countries that are striving toward democratization and making structural adjustments. Japan is taking various follow-up initiatives in an active manner. Japan announced to hold the Second Meeting of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-II) in around 1998 with the objective to review the progress made since the TICAD and to give further impetus to the momentum for development in Africa.

B. Assistance for Africa

With the aim of achieving in Africa the international goal of universal education in all countries of the world by the year 2015, which was proposed at the 1994 World Summit on Social Development, Japan will provide assistance for education in the amount of approximately US$100 million over a three year period in order to expand education in Africa, as its "Education For All Program."
With a view to achieving in Africa the goal established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of eradicating polio from the world by the year 2000, Japan will provide positive assistance as its "Health For All Program."
In order to implement assistance to African countries more effectively, Japan will continue to make efforts for strengthening the coordination with other donor countries such as France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, which are providing active assistance in Africa, through combining ways and areas in which each donor country has an advantage over others.

C. Contributions to Conflict Prevention and Resolution

Japan has made various efforts to contributing to conflict prevention and resolution, including participation in peace-keeping operations (PKO) in Mozambique, the dispatch of the International Peace Cooperation Corps for relief activities for Rwandan refugees, and the hosting in 1995 of the High-level Symposium on Peace and Development: The Problem of Conflict in Africa. In March 1996, Japan became the first country to disperse funds to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Program of Work of the Standing Advisory Committee on Security Question in Central Africa, with its contribution of US$600,000. Furthermore, Japan intends to disburse US$500,000 to the Peace Fund of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in order to support the OAU Mechanism for the Prevention, Management and Resolution of Conflicts. In addition, as a follow-up to last year's Symposium, Japan intends to host a Symposium on "Conflicts in Africa -- Road to a Nation Building in the Post-Conflict Period" in September 1996.

II. Initiative on Development

A. Concept of a "New Global Partnership"

Now that the Cold War has ended, conditions exist for tackling the problems of development through a new approach, avoiding the confrontation that has marred in the past the relationship between the North and South. In this context, Japan is advocating for a "New Global Partnership" based on which developed and developing countries work together to promote development. Japan will endeavor to promote this idea in the international community, including in the discussions in the United Nations.

B. Proposals for Development Targets

Japan has proposed the establishment of development targets in such areas poverty reduction, universal primary education, reduction of the maternal/infant mortality rates, and environmental protection as common goals of both industrialized and developing countries for the "New Global Partnership." Japan is making efforts to create a consensus on this matter in the international community.

C. Reinvestment of Savings

Japan believes that the aim of United Nations reform should not be the budget cutting itself but should be to strengthen United Nations' development activities. Japan is therefore advocating the idea that savings resulting from reform should be reinvested in development programs.

III. Initiative on Global Issues

A. Environment

As a means of expressing its firm intent to further contribute to creating a healthy global environment, Japan will announce the following initiatives.

While international negotiations are currently under way to create a new international legal framework to limit greenhouse gas emissions, Japan has decided to offer to host in 1997 the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3).
The Bali Partnership Fund is to be established in the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) next year as a means to assist developing countries in achieving the objective of sustainable management of tropical timber-producing forests by the year 2000, and Japan will take the lead in cooperation for this Fund.

B. Counterterrorism

Terrorism is a global issue that does not know national boundaries. Considering the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism, Japan intends to host an international seminar to be attended by industrialized and developing nations, on the theme of promoting mutual cooperation sometime before the 1997 G-7 Summit.

C. Measures to Deal With Anti-personnel Landmines

Anti-personnel landmines abandoned in conflict areas have killed and maimed many civilians. The scourge represented by anti-personnel landmines is not only a major humanitarian issue, but also a huge barrier to reconstruction and development in the post-conflict period. It is essential that this issue should be addressed globally. Japan has decided to extend its support for the international efforts toward total, world-wide ban on anti-personnel landmines, and to take unilateral initiatives on the use of anti-personnel landmines (see annex). Japan is also proposing to hold an international conference at senior official level in Tokyo early next year with a view to reinforcing international support for 1) the works of the United Nations in landmine clearance, 2) development of new technology for landmine detection and removal, and 3) international assistance for rehabilitation of landmine victims.

D. The Partnership for Democratic Development

Japan announced a proposal for a "Partnership for Democratic Development" (PDD) which will provide assistance for institutional building which is vital for achieving democratic development in developing countries, in such areas as the legislative, governmental, electoral and mass media sectors. The PDD also promotes cooperation which is directly in line with the goals of NGOs and the people of developing countries. Japan continues to provide active assistance to countries that are making efforts to improve human rights situations in the spirit of partnership.

E. Nuclear Safety in Asia

It is expected that the use of nuclear energy will be increased in the Asia-Pacific region. It is essential that nuclear safety be ensured and enhanced in this region. In order to further the efforts by the countries of this region and promote international cooperation, Japan will sponsor the Tokyo High-official Conference on Nuclear Safety in Asia this November.

F. Population and AIDS

Japan has taken a serious approach to the issues of populationand AIDS. While coordinating with the United States to implement US$3 billion in cooperation for developing countries over a seven year period from FY1994, Japan has already achieved approximately US$1 billion during the first two years (FY1994-FY1995) amounting to one-third of that total. Japan will continue to make efforts to reach the entire goal. With an emphasis on supporting human resources development in developing countries in this area, Japan has organized seminars for government officials in the Asia-Pacific region who are engaged in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS.

G. Narcotic Drugs

Japan is promoting active international cooperation including its proposals such as "action to strengthen international cooperation to control stimulants" and a "seminar on maritime drug control in the Asia-Pacific region" in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

IV. Initiative on Trade

A. Trade and Environment

The issue of trade and environment is now being discussed in the WTO with a view to reporting to the WTO Ministerial Conference in December. Japan has submitted a proposal on guidelines to make trade-restrictive measures pursuant to multilateral environmental agreements compatible with the WTO Agreement.

B. Cooperation on China's Accession to the WTO

China's early participation in the open multilateral trading system under the WTO is important from the perspective of integrating China into the international rules and strengthening the WTO system, as well as in light of the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the entire world. While Japan continues to call on China to meet the requirements under the WTO Agreement and to make clear commitments such as improving China's economic and trade regime and market access, Japan believes that its is necessary to respond positively when China makes positive movements. Japan intends to make such efforts as extending technical assistance and promoting dialogue with China in order to facilitate China's early accession to the WTO.

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