Press Releases
The 10th Meeting of the Advisory Board for the Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy
1. On the 31st, under the participation of Ms. Toshiko ABE, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Teruo KISHI, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, the 10th meeting of the Advisory Board for the Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy was held.
At the beginning, Ms. ABE stated that ‘Guiding Principles for the Development of Science, Technology, and Innovation for SDGs Roadmaps’ was adopted as an annex of G20 Osaka Leaders’ Declaration. This document was prepared in the G20 Osaka development working group referring to two recommendations (May 12, 2017/May 28, 2018) submitted by the Advisory Board for the Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy. Ms. ABE remarked her appreciation toward Dr. KISHI and the Advisory Board for their contribution. Ms. ABE also stated that on the occasion of TICAD7, based on the recommendation towards TICAD7 submitted by the Advisory Board, Japan would make its effort to spread good practices such as STI human resource development and SATREPS, to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen the cooperation with Africa in the field of science, technology and innovation.
2. Dr. KISHI introduced his efforts since this April such as preparation toward TICAD7, disseminating STI in Japan and networking with his counterparts and other experts abroad. Dr. KISHI also expressed his willingness to work continuously as the Science and Technology Advisor further, and asked for continuing cooperation of the Advisory Board members and related parties.
3. Dr. Mitsunobu KANO, Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, introduced effort and advice he has made for science and technology diplomacy, promotions and network establishment since his inauguration. Dr. KANO also stated that he would like to continue to support Dr. KISHI as well as promoting science and technology diplomacy by making the best use of his knowledge and experience as a life scientist.
4. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications gave brief explanation on the outcomes of G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy.
5. Among the participants, there were active discussions on challenges to be addressed from a perspective of science and technology diplomacy.
Reference 1: Science and Technology Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr. Teruo KISHI, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, was appointed as the first advisor in September 2015. The Science and Technology Advisor supports the activities of the Minister for Foreign Affairs on matters of science and technology, aims at strengthening the collaboration with the advisers and related parties in the science and technology field of other countries, and advises the Minister for Foreign Affairs and related departments on how to incorporate matters of science and technology in the planning and drafting process of its various foreign policy strategies.
Reference 2: Advisory Board for the Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy
In December 2015, Fumio KISHIDA, the then Foreign Minister, gathered experts from various fields of science and technology under the Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and established the ‘Science and Technology Diplomacy Advisory Network’ to utilize their knowledge and experiences in the planning and drafting process of foreign policy strategies including Japan's top diplomacy and high-level international conferences. As part of this attempt, he appointed experts from the related fields to the member of ‘Advisory Board for the Promotion of Science and Technology Diplomacy’ (currently 18 members including Dr. KISHI).
Reference 3: SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development)
3-5 year joint-research program for researchers from developing countries and Japan to work together. This program is co-operated by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aiming to (1) strengthen international science and technology cooperation between developing countries and Japan, (2) obtain new knowledge and technology to address global issues and improve science and technology standard for fostering new innovation and (3) capacity building.