2 Response to Global Issues

(1) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda)” was adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) elaborated in 2001. The 2030 Agenda sets out international development goals for realizing a sustainable, diverse and inclusive society under the principle of “Leave No One Behind,” by 2030.

The 2030 Agenda lists the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets that are interrelated and closely linked to each other, and which serve as development goals for the whole of the international community including developed countries.

After the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, Japan first built a foundation for the implementation of the SDGs by establishing the SDGs Promotion Headquarters headed by the Prime Minister, with the Chief Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister as the Deputy Director-Generals and composed of all cabinet ministers as members, and formulating the SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles that set out Japan's medium- to long-term strategy toward the achievement of the SDGs and eight priority areas¹⁰ that Japan will place particular focus on. Furthermore, Japan puts great importance on public-private partnership for the implementation of the SDGs, and established the SDGs Promotion Round Table Meeting, bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields including the private sector, civil society, experts, and international organizations. It also engages in the exchange of views on initiatives by local governments and businesses toward the promotion of the SDGs, measures for the empowerment of women and the future generation, and strengthening cooperation with the international community among others.

The SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles that were adopted in 2016, and revised in 2019, are expected to undergo a second revision in 2023. In preparation for the revision, proposals were invited from private-sector members of the SDGs Promotion Roundtable Meeting. To ensure the summary of proposals reflect the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders, in 2022, the Partnership Meeting on SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles was conducted in July and October, with deliberation on the topic at the SDGs Promotion Roundtable Meeting held in December. Japan will proceed with revising the SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles based on the feedback from various stakeholders going forward.

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• 10 Eight priority areas: 1) Empowerment of All People; 2) Achievement of Good Health and Longevity; 3) Creating Growth Markets, Revitalization of Rural Areas, and Promoting Technology and Innovation; 4) Sustainable and Resilient Land Use, Promoting Quality Infrastructure; 5) Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, Climate-Change Countermeasures and Sound Material-Cycle Society; 6) Conservation of Environment, including Biodiversity, Forests and Oceans ; 7) Achieving Peaceful, Safe and Secure Societies; and 8) Strengthening the Means and Frameworks of the Implementation of the SDGs.

A Human Security

Human security is a concept that pursues the right of individuals to live happily and in dignity, free from fear and want, through their protection and empowerment. Japan positions human security as a guiding principle that lies at the roots of Japan's development cooperation in the Development Cooperation Charter approved in 2015. Japan has led discussions on human security in the UN, and supported the dissemination and implementation of the concept of human security by UN organizations through the contribution of a cumulative total of about 49 billion Japanese yen by the end of 2021 to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, established in 1999 by Japan's initiative. Furthermore, in the area of bilateral cooperation, Japan has also put effort into the dissemination and implementation of this concept through support for Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. The SDGs, which advocate a people-centered approach and the vision of leaving no one behind, also position human security at their core. Foreign Minister Hayashi released a video message announcing that Japan will further promote the implementation and dissemination of human security based on the recommendations of the Special Report on Human Security published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in February 2022. At the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly held in September, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will promote initiatives based on the principles of human security in the new era, and declared Japan's stance on ensuring human security in the new era together with the UN.

B Approaches in the Area of Disaster Risk Reduction

200 million people around the world are affected by disasters every year (90% of the victims are citizens of developing countries) and the annual average loss incurred by natural hazards extends to approximately 140 billion US dollars according to estimates by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). While there are concerns about frequent and intensified disasters due to climate change, disaster risk reduction is essential for realizing poverty eradication and sustainable development.

Japan makes the most of its expertise in disaster risk reduction, built up through numerous experiences with disasters, to actively promote international cooperation. At the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai in March 2015, Japan took the lead in the adoption of the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,” a guideline for efforts by the international community. Japan also announced the “Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction” as its independent contribution, which includes provision of 4 billion US dollars toward cooperation and training of 40,000 people in the four years from 2015 to 2018. With the achievement of these goals, Japan is providing ongoing support for disaster prevention, including launching the Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction Phase 2 in June 2019, under which Japan plans to provide support to at least 5 million people from 2019 to 2022, in areas such as flood measures.

Coinciding with World Tsunami Awareness Day (November 5), proposed by Japan and enacted unanimously at the 70th UN General Assembly held in December 2015, Japan has hosted the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” five times since 2016. High school students from countries around the world are invited to this event, and through practical learning about Japan's tsunami history, recovery from earthquake disasters, and preparations for a possible Nankai Trough earthquake, the participants make proposals for future challenges and implementation in their home countries. In 2022, Japan, in cooperation with UNDRR and other organizations, supported the hybrid holding of an event (with both in-person and online components) aimed at improving awareness of tsunami preparedness, as well as a tsunami related training program for female administrative officers and formulation of tsunami evacuation plans for schools in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan will continue to share its experiences and lessons drawn from past disasters with the world, and to promote the “mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction” that incorporates the perspectives of disaster risk reduction in the policies of every country.

C Education

In the area of education, Japan is engaged in various forms of educational support around the world under the “Learning Strategy for Peace and Growth,” announced by Japan in line with the timing for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. Since the beginning of 2020, schools were shut down due to the spread of COVID-19, resulting in rapid increase of children in various parts of the world whose education opportunities were taken away. In light of this situation, Japan has pledged to provide support for the education of 7.5 million girls and foster human resources training in developing countries, in addition to providing over 1.5 billion US dollars to the education sector over five years until 2025 at the Global Education Summit held in July 2021.

In September, the United Nations Transforming Education Summit (TES) was held following UN Secretary-General António Guterres' announcement that the recovery from the global education crisis caused by COVID-19 and achievement of SDG4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) require educational reform. At the event where leaders and ministers from 130 countries participated, Prime Minister Kishida released a video message to declare Japan's intent to promote human resource development with investment in human assets placed at the core and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Also at the summit, Prime Minister Kishida assumed the position as an “Education Champion” in charge of maintaining the momentum of the summit in promoting global education transformation.

D Approaches in Agricultural Areas

In coordination with the relevant countries, such as G7 and G20 member states and international organizations, Japan has delivered assistance for agriculture and rural development in developing countries. Since 2020, through support via international organizations and others, Japan has been addressing issues of deterioration within the food system due to the stagnation in distribution of agricultural products as a result of travel restrictions due to the spread of COVID-19. In terms of global initiatives, Prime Minister Kishida stated at the G7 Summit held in June that Japan will provide support in terms of food security. In response to global food security issues that are worsened by the situation over Ukraine, Japan has been providing support on enhancing production capabilities to countries faced with food shortages. Furthermore, at the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) in August, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will provide approximately 300 million US dollars in joint-financing for the African Development Bank's Emergency Food Production Facility, with the aim of strengthening medium- to long-term food production capacity, as well as assist with capacity building for 200,000 people in the agricultural sector.

E Approaches in the Area of Water and Sanitation

Japan has continuously been the largest donor country in the area of water and sanitation since the 1990s. Furthermore, Japan has implemented high quality assistance utilizing Japan's experiences, expertise, and technologies, as well as proactively participated in discussions in the international community. At the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in April, over 5,000 participants attended both online and in person, including heads of state and ministers from 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with Prime Minister Kishida representing Japan. At the summit, Prime Minister Kishida announced Japan's plan for contribution, the Kumamoto Initiative for Water, an active approach to address water-related social issues through the development of “Quality Infrastructure”.

(2) Global Health

Japan advocates human security and undertakes global health related issues as it positions global health, which serves as the basis of “the Development Cooperation Charter”, as one of the pillars for its foreign policies.

COVID-19 continues to have diverse impacts on people around the world. Immediately after the outbreak of the pandemic, Japan has provided assistance to developing countries to the scale of approximately 5 billion US dollars in total for global health, both bilaterally and through international organizations. In particular, it is important to ensure equitable access to safe, effective and quality-assured COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics for every country and region around the world in order to overcome COVID-19 globally. To this end, Japan has been working with international frameworks, such as the COVAX Facility¹¹ in providing vaccine-related support in each country and region.

Specifically, Japan has provided approximately 44 million doses of vaccines for 32 countries and regions as of the end of 2022. Furthermore, Japan placed great emphasis on advancing the “Last One Mile” support program for the cold-chain development and capacity development for vaccinating medical workers. In February, Prime Minister Kishida pledged that Japan would contribute 300 million US dollars to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), one of the constituent institutions of the COVAX, over the next five years in support of its vaccine development and manufacturing. Moreover, at the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) Summit 2022 in April, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan would contribute up to 500 million US dollars to the COVAX AMC in addition to the contribution of one billion US dollars which had been already disbursed. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki attended the Joint Working Session of the G7 Development and Health Ministers held in May as the representative from MOFA, and, in light of the need to revitalize the socio-economic activities in developing countries and to resume cross-border travels in order to build back better from the pandemic, made an announcement that Japan would provide further support primarily for the Indo-Pacific region to the scale of up to 100 million US dollars, centered on three pillars of support, management of vaccination data in developing countries, systems development for border control implementing infectious diseases control measures, and disposal of infectious disease-related waste. Furthermore, the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) Foreign Ministerial Meeting was hosted by the U.S. with ministers from around 30 countries in attendance in four sessions between February 2022 and February 2023. Foreign Minister Hayashi attended all four sessions, where he led discussions on the end of acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and preparation for future pandemics.

The global spread of COVID-19 has shed light on the fact that global health is not only directly relevant to people's health but is also an important issue for the global society, including major risks in the economy, society, and security. Given this understanding, the Government of Japan formulated its new Global Health Strategy in May 2022. The strategy outlines Japan's goals to contribute to developing a global health architecture (GHA), strengthen Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) to public health emergencies such as pandemics, and achieve a more resilient, more equitable, and more sustainable universal health coverage (UHC) that is required in the post-COVID-19 era to ensure human security (see the Column on page 280).

At the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Leaders' Meeting hosted by Japan in May, Prime Minister Kishida confirmed that they will take global leadership in the efforts for building better health security and achieving UHC.

Japan has actively contributed to rulemaking in the international area in its specific effort to build GHA. Furthermore, Japan actively contributed to discussions in meetings held three times as of the end of 2022 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in drafting a legally binding instrument (WHO CA+) for global preparedness toward pandemics, as a member state of the International Negotiation Body. A Japanese delegate has also been elected as a vice chair of the INB. At the same time, Japan also proactively contributes to discussions on the revision of International Health Regulations (IHR) that is underway concurrently.

It is an urgent task to further accelerate our efforts to establish a more resilient, equitable and sustainable UHC in order to address long-standing health challenges that have been set back by COVID-19. Given this perspective, Japan has been providing assistance on strengthening health systems in developing countries, including the development and networking of core medical facilities and support for human resource development in the medical field. At TICAD 8 held in August, Prime Minister Kishida announced Japan's commitment to contribute up to 1.08 billion US dollars over the next three years to the Global Fund to fight the three major infectious diseases of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and enhance the healthcare system. Furthermore, Japan made contributions to improve immunization coverage in developing countries through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance¹² and bilateral cooperation, as well as providing support on maternal and child health through international organizations, such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and the World Bank, in addition to providing bilateral assistance to mainly Asian and African countries.

Japan has been making efforts to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, such as water supply and sewage systems, and nutrition, which form the basis of human health, as it regards these to be indispensable for the achievement of the SDGs and issues related to human security. In December 2021, the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 was held, where the Tokyo Compact on Global Nutrition for Growth was issued. On that occasion, stakeholders, including governments of various countries, announced over 27 billion US dollars in nutrition-related assistance, including over 300 billion Japanese yen in nutrition-related assistance to the world from Japan announced by Prime Minister Kishida.

Moreover, Japan has also taken the lead in global health-related discussions at the G7 and G20. At the G7 Elmau Summit in June, Prime Minister Kishida discussed Japan's support related to COVID-19 vaccines and articulated that the pandemic has underscored the importance of UHC. Furthermore, at the G20 Bali Summit held in November, Prime Minister Kishida noted the necessity to enhance GHA as well as the importance of achieving more resilient, equitable, and sustainable UHC. Prime Minister Kishida expressed his intention to consider global health as one of the most critical issues to be addressed also at the G7 Hiroshima Summit hosted by Japan in 2023.

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• 11 COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility): A comprehensive financing and supply coordination mechanism to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, including in developing countries, that is led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and operated in cooperation with the WHO, UNICEF, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The system enables supply of COVID-19 vaccines swiftly at an affordable price, leveraging economies of scale through guaranteeing purchase and market demand for vaccines.
• 12 The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi): A public-private partnership that supports immunizations in developing countries. It is also known as the “Gavi Vaccine Alliance”.
  https://www.gavi.org/our-alliance/about
  

(3) Labor and Employment

It is important to raise income levels through employment, in order to improve the living standards of those who are in poverty. Against the background of an expanding supply-chain worldwide, it is necessary to put effort into developing the labor environment, and to realize “decent work” (work that is of an acceptable quality for motivated human beings) around the world. The realization of “decent work” has been positioned as a primary objective of the activities of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which marks its centenary year in 2019.

In view of this, Japan is also engaged in sustainable development cooperation in the field of labor. In 2022, Japan provided assistance to projects in the Asia Pacific region, including Southeast Asia and South Asia and the African region (Madagascar) through voluntary contributions to the ILO and support to networks of international social partner organizations. These projects include support for emergency job creation in response to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of labor laws and social insurance systems, and assistance for the improvement of labor, health and safety standards. It also comprised initiatives aimed at upholding human rights in companies within the supply chain.

(4) Environmental Issues and Climate Change

A Global Environmental Issues

Further awareness has been built worldwide on the importance of addressing global environmental issues and global interest in these issues has also risen, as exemplified by the 2030 Agenda, which embeds environmental goals. Japan is actively involved in conserving the natural environment and realizing sustainable development through negotiations and engagements in various multilateral environmental agreements and relevant international organizations. As the second largest donor to the World Bank Group's Global Environment Facility, a financing mechanism for the major environmental conventions regarding biodiversity and chemical pollution, etc, Japan also contributes to projects that address global environmental issues.

(A) Conservation of the Marine Environment

Addressing the problem of marine plastic litter. as a matter of urgency, is growing in importance in recent years, given its potential adverse impact on marine ecology, tourism, fisheries, and human health. The problem is caused by factors such as the illegal dumping of waste and inappropriate waste management. In order to achieve “the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision” that was launched at the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019, which aims to reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050, Japan is working with international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in areas such as compiling scientific knowledge and providing assistance on building models necessary for measures against pollution by marine plastic litter, in providing support for environmentally sound management of plastic waste and disposal mainly in the Asian region. In October, Executive Director Inger Andersen of the UNEP visited Japan and made a courtesy call to Foreign Minister Hayashi, where they confirmed cooperation between the UNEP and Japan on addressing global issues. Moreover, State Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke released a video message at the 30th anniversary event of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-International Environmental Technology Center (IETC) held in Osaka.

In recent years, there is growing momentum for creating a new international framework to address marine plastics. At the Resumed Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment held from February to March in 2022, the resolution “End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument” was adopted. Following this resolution, the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November. Going forward, Japan will be providing a leading role in the area and supporting effective and progressive rule making (see the Special Feature on page 282).

The Fourth Leaders Meeting of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which is comprised of leaders of maritime nations and was established to discuss matters such as conservation of marine environments, fisheries and utilization of marine resources, was held on September 21. A message from Prime Minister Kishida was read on his behalf, which discussed the Government of Japan's support extended to island nations and coastal nations and Japan's intent to promote its successful initiatives aimed at achieving SDG 14 (conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development) as the Japan Model. Moreover, State Minister of the Environment MUTAI Shunsuke and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs MIYAKE Shingo attended the Second UN Ocean Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal between June 27 and July 1, where discussions on SDG14, including conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources, took place (see the Special Feature on page 283). In December, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson made a courtesy call to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary KIHARA Seiji and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei, where they confirmed the intent to continue collaboration aimed at achieving SDG 14.

(B) Conservation of Biodiversity

The second part of the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) was held in Montreal, Canada from December 7 to 19. 9,472 people representing Parties / regions, related organizations, citizen groups, and others attended the conference in person, while approximately 16,000 people registered to attend. The Government of Japan was represented by a delegation mainly consisting of MOFA, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of the Environment.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework consisting of new global targets on biodiversity, was adopted at the same conference (see the Column on page 285).

The high-level segment was held from December 15 to 17, attended by the leaders and ministers of each country. The Minister of the Environment NISHIMURA Akihiro represented the Government of Japan. During the high-level segment, each country presented their initiative toward the 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with nature,” while Japan pledged to provide a total of 117 billion Japanese yen in support of biodiversity conservation from 2023 to 2025, in addition to contributing 638 million US dollars to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and providing a total of 1.8 billion Japanese yen to the Japan Biodiversity Fund (JBF).

In recent years, illegal wildlife trade has exacerbated, drawing international attention as one of the key sources of funding for international terrorist organizations. As a follow-up to its provision of elephant anti-poaching operation facilities in Uganda and Mozambique in 2019, Japan provided the same monitoring facility in Zambia in 2022, despite construction delay due to the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, Japan decided to provide the related facilities in Rwanda in 2021, and in Botswana in 2022, underscoring Japan's drive to address this issue seriously. Japan also proactively participates in international discussions, including attending the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP19) held in Panama City, Panama from November 14 to 25.

Japan also contributes to international rule-making for promoting conservation and sustainable uses of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, with a view to enhancing sustainable agriculture and food security. At the 9th Session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) Governing Body held in New Delhi, India in September, Japan promoted access to and utilization of genetic resources, including breeding. To this end, Japan participated in discussions aimed at expanding the scope of genetic resources covered by the Multilateral System (MLS) and enhancing their functions.

In August, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Executive Director Sheam Satkuru made a courtesy call to Foreign Minister Hayashi, where they confirmed that Japan will continue to work with the organization on the legal and sustainable management of tropical forests and the sustainable use of timber. At the 58th Session of the Council of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) held in a hybrid format in November, important discussions were held including consideration for a future renegotiation or extension of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), which forms the premise of the ITTO, and will expire in 2026. In November, the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP14) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (commonly known as the Ramsar Convention) took place in a hybrid format in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland, in which 21 resolutions were adopted, including the revision of the 4th strategic plan, while Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture were awarded with the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention.

(C) International Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Waste

The 34th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was held in person in Montreal, Canada in November. At the meeting, matters such as the efficient and effective operation of the protocol between States that are Parties to the convention were discussed.

In June, in Geneva, Switzerland, Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade were held, in which matters such as approval for activity plan and provisional budget for each convention in 2023 were discussed and revision on a portion of appendices was also adopted.

The second part of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury was held in Bali, Indonesia in March, in which matters such as a framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Convention were decided. Japan is playing an active role in the implementation of the Convention, as a member of the Implementation and Compliance Committee to promote the implementation of, and review compliance with the provisions of the Convention during the intersession period.

B Climate Change

(A) Initiatives to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050

In October 2020, Japan declared that it would aim to realize carbon neutrality with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. At the Leaders' Summit on Climate, hosted by the U.S. in April 2021, Japan declared that it aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels, setting an ambitious target which is aligned with the goal of net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, Japan will continue its strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions by 50%. In October 2021, Japan submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that reflects the new reduction target and Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement that reflects initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. Since Russia's aggression against Ukraine which took place in February 2022, the importance of energy security has been reaffirmed. To this end, Japan will actively contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality in the world by 2050.

(B) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement

Global efforts are essential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change; however, the Kyoto Protocol adopted at the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3) in 1997 required only developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 held in Paris in December 2015. The Paris Agreement is a fair and effective framework that provides that parties communicate their nationally determined contributions to greenhouse gas emission reductions and undertake efforts toward the achievement of such goals regardless of whether they are developed or developing countries. The Agreement entered into force in November 2016, and has been ratified by more than 190 countries and institutions including Japan (as of December 2022).

Upon the adoption of the Paris Agreement, negotiations commenced on the implementation guidelines of the Agreement toward its full implementation after 2020, and these, except the implementation guidelines for market mechanisms were adopted at COP24 held in December 2018. At COP26 held in 2021 in Glasgow, the UK, significant progress has been made in the steady implementation of the Paris Agreement and the promotion of climate actions worldwide, including adoption of the implementation guidelines for market mechanisms, which had not been concluded at COP24 and COP25, based on a proposal made by Japan.

At COP27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6 to 20, the focus was placed on strengthening the implementation of climate action as the session was called the “Implementation COP” and built on the outcome of COP26. The COP/CMA cover decision, the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan, calling on Parties to strengthen their actions in each area of climate change, and the Mitigation Work Programme to urgently scale up mitigation ambition and implementation toward 2030, were adopted. Moreover, a decision was adopted to establish new funding arrangements, including a fund to assist particularly vulnerable developing countries in responding to loss and damage associated with adverse effects of climate change. Minister of the Environment Nishimura Akihiro participated in the negotiations, attending the event on behalf of the Government of Japan, in which he announced the “Assistance Package by the Government of Japan for averting, minimizing and addressing Loss and Damage” with the aim of providing comprehensive technical support and maximizing its effectiveness. Furthermore, Japan has taken the initiative to launch the “Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation Partnership” with over 60 countries and organizations announcing their participation, with a view to build a high-integrity carbon markets during this period.

(C) Efforts in Supporting Developing Countries

Developed countries including Japan have provided various supports for developing countries so that those countries can implement sufficient climate change measures. Those supports include financial support, capacity building, and technology transfer. At the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Leaders' Meeting held in May, the leaders of the four countries jointly launched the Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) with a shared view to expand support for disaster prevention and shipping as well as to broaden the areas of cooperation in clean energy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan announced in 2021 at the G7 Cornwall Summit and at COP26 that it would provide climate assistance in both private and public finance totaling 70 billion US dollars over the next 5 years, and would double its assistance for adaptation, totaling 14.8 billion US dollars. From such perspectives, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) also plays an important role as a multilateral climate fund that provides support for developing countries to address climate change. In addition to its initial contribution of 1.5 billion US dollars (2015 to 2018), Japan expressed at the GCF's First Replenishment (2020 to 2023) that it would contribute up to 1.5 billion US dollars. Moreover, Japan has actively participated in its management as well as policymaking as a Board member and Alternative Board member of the GCF Board. By December 2022, the GCF Board has approved 209 projects, which are projected to avoid CO2 emissions by 2.4 billion tons and increase resilience of 670 million people.

(D) Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

The JCM is a mechanism for contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reduction or removal and sustainable development in partner countries through diffusion of advanced decarbonization technologies, as well as the implementation of actions in these countries. The amount of contribution is quantitatively evaluated, and Japan will acquire credits (or emission allowance) proportion to its contribution, assisting both Japan and the partner countries to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions. Japan plans to further expand the JCM globally, reflecting the adoption of the implementation guidelines of market mechanisms adopted at COP26 in 2021. The “Grand Design and Action Plan for a New Form of Capitalism · Follow-up” approved by the Cabinet Office in June 2022 states that Japan will accelerate consultation with relevant countries, aiming to increase JCM partner countries up to around 30 by year 2025. Japan signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Joint Crediting Mechanism with eight additional countries in 2022, and had established the JCM with 25 countries by the end of the year. There have been over 230 projects on emissions reduction or removal of greenhouse gases implemented worldwide. Among these, three methodologies for credit calculation have been approved for their credit calculation methods and five projects have been registered as JCM projects as of November. The JCM is showing steady results, including credits issued from JCM projects in Mongolia and Bangladesh.

(E) Japan's efforts in Climate Change and Fragility Risk

Concern regarding fragility risks is also growing among the UN, the G7, and other developing countries, with growing interest particularly in the impact of climate change on security. Japan considers climate change as a factor for increased risk of conflict, which also relates to human security, and has been actively participating in discussions on various occasions. Japan became an official member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security¹³ in May and has joined the “Climate, Environment, Peace and Security Initiative” launched as G7 Initiative by the G7 in November. Japan has been convening the International Conference on Climate Change and Fragility in the Asia-Pacific Region since fiscal year 2018 as an initiative covering vulnerabilities and risks of climate change. In 2022, lectures and panel discussions were held on the topic of the threat of climate change on biodiversity.

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• 13 A group established by UN representatives of each country in 2018 in New York in order to discuss the impacts that climate change has on global security.

(F) Interaction with the Next Generation Who Will Address Climate Change

Young people of the next generation play an important role in achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050 globally. In particular, in response to the growing interest in climate change in recent years, activities led by so cold “Generation Z”¹⁴ are becoming more active. As such, it is important to pay attention to and discuss their voices. Given this consideration, since COP26, MOFA staff have been holding lectures and conducting direct dialogue in small groups. To date, the Ministry has shared information and held discussions with approximately 5,500 people on the climate change response. Going forward, the Ministry will continue to host platforms for opinion exchange and information dissemination targeting the younger generation regarding climate change as a topic of growing interest, and reflect the feedback received in government policies.

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• 14 Generation Z: Generally defined as the age cohort of people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. Generation Z has lived with the Internet, smartphones and social media since an early age. They are also called “digital natives.” Generation Z comes after Generational X and Generation Y.

(5) Arctic and Antarctic

A Arctic

(1) Current State of the Arctic

There is a risk that rapid changes in the Arctic environment caused by global warming will have a drastic and irreversible impact on the ecology and the lives of those living there. At the same time, as the decreasing amount of sea ice is expected to expand the navigable area, there have been growing economic opportunities such as the use of the Northern Sea Route and the development of resources.

Alongside this, Russia, which has the largest territory in the arctic circle, has announced the “Basic Principles of Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic to 2035” and the “Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring National Security until 2035” in 2020. It is also promoting military facility maintenance, resource exploitation and freight shipping on the Northern Sea Route. While Russia took over the chairmanship of the Council at the Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council (AC)¹⁵ held in May 2021, the AC has suspended all activities since March 2022 after seven other AC member countries issued a joint statement to temporarily suspend their participation as protests against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

China, in recent years, has positioned itself as an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs and is observed to be proactively advancing into the Arctic with its participation in resource development, commercial use of shipping routes, governance development, and scientific research.

Against this backdrop, the U.S. is also enhancing its engagement in light of changes in the situation of the Arctic, including announcing new Arctic strategies between 2019 and 2021 in response to changes in the security situation from the Department of Defense, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The U.S. also positions security as its most important pillar in the new National Strategy for the Arctic Region announced by the White House in October.

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• 15 An intergovernmental consultation body established in 1996 with the aim of promoting cooperation, coordination, and exchanges between the eight Arctic countries (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S.), while gaining the involvement of indigenous communities on common issues related to the Arctic region (in particular, sustainable development, environmental protection, etc.). (It does not address military and security issues.) Japan obtained the Observer status in 2013.

(B) Japan's Arctic Policy and International Activities

Japan is aiming to contribute to the global society as a major player that takes part in addressing issues in the Arctic with an emphasis on the three areas of research and development, international cooperation, and sustainable use, based on the “Japan's Arctic Policy” announced in 2015.

Following the suspension of AC activities in March, the importance of international conference of Track II organizations in the Arctic (framework between private sector experts) has increased. The Japanese Ambassador in Charge of Arctic Affairs attended the Arctic Encounter Symposium held in Anchorage, U.S. in April, the Arctic Frontiers conference held in Tromsø, Norway in May, the Arctic Circle Greenland Forum held in August in Nuuk, Greenland, and the Arctic Circle Assembly¹⁶, held in October in Reykjavík, Iceland, in which Japan shared its views and achievements in terms of scientific cooperation in the Arctic. Through the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCSII) launched in fiscal year 2020, Japan promotes international cooperation for research and human resource development at research and observation stations in the U.S., Canada, Russia, Norway, and Greenland (Denmark) among other locations. Japan has also sent its researchers to all AC working groups specialized in specific themes. As for the Arctic research vessel proposed in the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) for use as an international platform, it has been under construction since 2021.

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• 16 An international conference established by Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland and others in 2013, and attended by about 2,000 participants including government representatives, researchers, and business people. Japan has been participating in it since the first assembly with the attendance of the Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs and other delegates.

B Antarctic

(A) Japan and the Antarctic

Japan has been conducting Antarctic observation surveys utilizing its advanced technology at Syowa Station established in 1957, thereby contributing to global environment conservation and international development of science and technology. Moreover, as one of the original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty adopted in 1959, Japan strives to maintain and strengthen the Antarctic Treaty System, which is essential to the peaceful use of the Antarctic, while contributing to the promotion of environmental preservation and international cooperation in the Antarctic.

(B) The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the Protection of Antarctic Environment

At the 44th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM44) held as a hybrid meeting (both in person and virtually) from late May to early June, discussions were held on issues of climate change in the Antarctic and actions being taken by the Antarctic Treaty System.

(C) Japan's Antarctic Observation

As for Japan's Antarctic observation activities, Japan is implementing research and observation activities based on the tenth six-year plan of the Japanese Antarctic Research program (from FY2022 to FY2027), in addition to long-term continuous observation. The 64th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition plans to conduct various research observation to understand past and present changes in the ice sheets, ocean and atmospheric general circulation, and upper atmosphere in the Antarctic region as well as elucidating their mechanisms on the first year of the six-year plan.