Press Releases
Meeting between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
On July 13, commencing at 10:00 a.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for approximately 20 minutes. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi welcomed the 2022 special report on human security released by the UNDP in February of this year, and stated his intention to continue to cooperate closely with the UNDP on initiatives towards addressing global challenges such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and climate change. Minister Hayashi also stated that he would like to work together for the success of the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) . Administrator Steiner expressed his deepest condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and he stated his determination to further promote cooperation with Japan, including the implementation of the special report on human security and cooperation towards TICAD 8. In response, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the condolences.
- Furthermore, Minister Hayashi stated that at TICAD 8, in cooperation with the UNDP as the co-organizers, Japan will strongly support African-led development and chart a course for sustainable African development in all areas: economic, social, peace and stability. Administrator Steiner responded by saying that the UNDP attaches great importance to humanitarian, peace, and development partnerships and would like to further strengthen cooperation with Japan in this area in Ukraine and Africa.
Administrator Steiner previously served as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP; 2006-2016), Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (2009-2011), Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN; 2001-2006), and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams (1998-2001). He was appointed to his current position in July 2017.
The UNDP is the largest development organization within the United Nations system. The UNDP has a global network with a high level of expert knowledge and a wealth of experience, and is performing a leading role in promoting initiatives towards achieving the SDGs. The UNDP is an important partner for Japan in the promotion of the development agenda, including as the co-organizer of TICAD. Japan is working together with the UNDP to resolve global challenges such as health (Universal Health Coverage (UHC)), gender equality, supporting measures against climate change, and promoting human security.