Press Releases

1. On Thursday, April 12, the Seminar on Promoting Quality Infrastructure was held in Tokyo. There were approximately 160 participants in the seminar, including the speakers, panelists, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the private sector and think tanks.

2. In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. José Ángel GURRÍA Treviño, Secretary-General of the OECD, introduced, among others, the cooperation between Japan and the OECD Development Centre, and the cross sectional efforts of the OECD’s on the topic. He also stated that quality infrastructure contributes to the attainment of a sustainable and inclusive society. H.E. Mr. Iwao HORII, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)), referring to the importance of quality infrastructure in addressing the huge development needs, introduced Japan’s efforts, including its cooperation with the OECD. He also advocated the importance of consolidating an international understanding on the “international standards” of quality infrastructure. The Rt. Hon. Mark FIELD, MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, made opening remarks as a guest speaker, indicating his support for the concept of quality infrastructure.

3. In the following Panel Debate, Professor Naoyuki YOSHINO, Dean of the Asian Development Institute (ADBI), served as a moderator. H.E. Mr. Kentaro SONOURA, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan, referred to the importance of promoting the concept of quality infrastructure internationally, and, using “Japan-Mekong Connectivity Initiative” and other examples, highlighted the importance of, strengthening connectivity enhancement ensuring open access, ensuring the financial soundness of recipient countries, effective resource mobilization and others, in addition to the G7 Ise-Shima Principles,. He also expressed his expectation towards the work of the OECD Development Centre, to which Japan will make the voluntary contribution for the promotion of the concept of quality infrastructure. Ms. Naoko UEDA, Deputy Director of the OECD Development Centre (DEV), Mr. André LABOUL, Special Financial Advisor to the G20 Sherpa and Senior Counsellor to the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs of the OECD, H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam JAISHANKAR, Former Foreign Secretary of India, Mr. Rolando G. TUNGPALAN, Undersecretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of the Philippines, Dr. Robert GUILD, Chief Section Officer of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Jang Ping THIA, Principal Economist of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), also participated in the seminar as panelists. They introduced their efforts concerning quality infrastructure and referred to the importance of developing infrastructure that ensures quality.

Strengthening Connectivity through “Quality Infrastructure” (PDF)

4. Ms. Gabriela RAMOS, Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20 of the OECD made closing remarks.