Major Issues and Tentative Evaluation on the Communique of the Denver Summit of the Eight
July 4, 1997
1.Overall Evaluation
(1) At the Denver Summit, the Leaders exchanged views on a variety of tasks ahead, which need to be dealt with in order to pass on to the next generation a better and safer society as we approach the 21st century. The Leaders discussed measures against the problems threatening the peace and security of the rapidly globalizing international community and our citizens (environment, infectious diseases, terrorism, transnational crime, etc.). They also discussed how the existing international order could be strengthened (the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, etc.). The Leaders were unanimous in regard to the importance of promoting broad integration ("global integration") of the international community on the basis of the universal values of democracy and market economy. "Africa" and "Democracy and Human Rights," topics raised this year, can also be seen from this global integration perspective at the Denver Summit. Russia participated in most of the discussions with the exception of a few issues, on which discussion was held among G7 and the Statement by Seven was released.
(2) The "Initiative for a Caring World," proposed by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto at the Lyon Summit last year, is aimed at responding through international cooperation and the exchange of experiences to a wide range of social security issues, including aging populations. A meaningful discussion also took place in the areas of environment and terrorism, with the Leaders focusing on how to ensure the safety of our citizens' lives on a global scale in the international community of increasing interdependence and interaction. The Leaders had conducted an active discussion on United Nations reform as an important issue linked to the realization of a safe global community. Through these exchanges of views, the Leaders deepened mutual understanding of their policies, thus fulfilling the objective of achieving greater policy coordination.
2.Major Issues
(1) Initiative for a Caring World
This year's discussion on the Initiative for a Caring World focused on the two issues of aging populations and infectious diseases. On aging populations, the concept of "active aging" was put forward, with the Leaders stressing the realization of societies in which older people can lead active lives. On infectious diseases, the Leaders discussed measures including surveillance of the outbreak of such diseases and strengthening of emergency response capabilities.
(2) Environment
Given that key United Nations conferences on the environment will be held this year, such as the UN General Assembly Special Session and the Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Summit highlighted environmental issues. The Leaders sent a strong political message to these meetings which included a statement of commitment to targets that will result in reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, and gave specific directions in regard to forests, freshwater, oceans and the reform of international environmental institutions.
(3) Terrorism
The Leaders reaffirmed their determination to combat terrorism, opposing concessions to terrorist demands. They commended the progress which had been made on the twenty-five recommendations adopted last July at the Paris Ministerial Meeting, and decided to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure that by the year 2000 all States join the international counterterrorism conventions.
(4) Africa
The Denver Summit paid attention to issues related to the development of African countries, which face unusually severe challenges as globalization progresses. The Eight Leaders agreed on measures to enhance support for those African countries which are engaged responsibly in development and which are seriously undertaking democratic reforms and social and economic reforms. These measures include government development assistance, support by international institutions, as well as measures to support the liberalization of trade and investment in the African countries and improve access to the markets of the industrialized countries. The Leaders were also unanimous in regard to cooperation for preventing and solving conflict in African countries.
(5) United Nations Reform
The Leaders shared the view that in order to create a United Nations which could respond to many challenges facing the world in the 21st century, reforms must be pushed so as to improve the overall structure and operation of the UN, as well as to strengthen its fiscal base.
(6) Democracy and Human Rights
The Leaders shared the view that democratic values and fundamental freedoms had to be enhanced in young democratic states, thus further strengthening the hold of peace and respect for human rights throughout the international community. They were also unanimous in the view that attention needs to be paid to protecting the socially vulnerable in order to ensure broad participation in the democratic process and prevent societal conflict.
(7) Political situations
On the initiative of Prime Minister Hashimoto, the Leaders discussed the situation in Cambodia, and with the support of other Summit member states, Japan and France will dispatch special envoys to Cambodia. Given the importance of this issue (and of the Bosnia Herzegovina issue), separate statements were issued. Also discussed were issues such as Hong Kong, which is on the verge of reversion to China, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East peace process, Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina.
3.Japan approached the Summit with an emphasis on the following points:
(1) Infectious diseases
As part of the Initiative for a Caring World, Japan stressed that in addition to international cooperation to upgrade measures for the prevention of the outbreak of infectious diseases, the international community should pay more attention to the parasite issue.
(2) Africa
Japan emphasized its active efforts for the implementation of the New Global Partnership for Development, including aid coordination with other donor countries, policy dialogue with developing countries, cooperation in human resource development and South-South (inter-regional) Cooperation, especially cooperation with Asia.
(3) Environment
Japan displayed active leadership at the Summit toward producing a strong message from the Eight to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the Environment and the Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. From the perspective of sustainable development, Japan also stressed the importance of the development and dissemination of innovative technology. Further, with a view to supporting developing countries, Japan advocated the Initiatives for Sustainable Development toward the 21st Century (ISD), which include the conservation of biodiversity in East Asia and the establishment of an acid rain deposition monitoring network in East Asia.
(4) Terrorism
Based on the lessons learned from the seizure of the Japanese Ambassador s Residence in Lima, Japan advocated the strengthening of counterterrorist measures with an emphasis on hostage-taking incidents (enhanced response capacity, promotion of information exchange, promotion of regional cooperation).
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