Press Releases
Participation of Senior Deputy Minister ENDO to the High-Level Event on “International Panel on Inequality”
September 24, 2026
On September 23, commencing at 10:30 a.m. (local time) for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. Kazuya ENDO, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the high-level event on “International Panel on Inequality.”
- This meeting was convened by Brazil, Norway, Spain, and South Africa. Opening statements were made by H.E. Mr. Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil; H.E. Mr. José Manuel ALBARES, Minister for Foreign Affairs; European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain; and H.E. Mr. Espen Barth EIDE, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.
- The outline of Senior Deputy Minister ENDO’s statement is as follows:
- The widening of global disparities is a common challenge for the international community that threatens social cohesion, sustainable growth, and stability. In order to realize the principle of "leaving no one behind" set forth in the 2030 Agenda, Japan welcomes the efforts toward the establishment of an expert panel that brings together expert knowledge and makes policy recommendations aimed at addressing inequality.
- Sustainable and inclusive "quality growth" is indispensable for correcting global inequality. It is also important that all countries, regardless of developed or developing, share a responsibility, while respecting the ownership of the partner countries and supporting their autonomous development through dialogue and cooperation. From this perspective, Japan has listened to the voices on the ground, carefully responded to the needs of each country, and supported self-reliant development of partner countries through human development and nation-building.
- In addressing global inequality, I would like to highlight the importance of Japan’s efforts in three areas. The first is quality infrastructure development. Infrastructure forms the foundation of social and economic activities and sustainable growth. Japan has led the formulation of the "G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment" and has been promoting quality infrastructure investment in line with international rules and standards, including transparency, openness, economic efficiency, and debt sustainability. The second is global health. From the perspective of "human security," Japan contributes to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Japan will continue to support capacity building and build momentum for the achievement of UHC in developing countries through the UHC Knowledge Hub, which was launched in Tokyo last December. The third is gender equality and women's empowerment. The active participation and engagement of women brings diversity and vitality to society and the economy. Japan is promoting the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, while working to create an environment in which women can fully exercise their abilities as key contributors to society and the economy through women's empowerment.
- At a time when the international community faces multiple crises, it is essential that all countries find common ground and points of agreement, and advance solutions to challenges in a manner where all countries share responsibility. Japan will continue to work closely with the international community and contribute actively toward the realization of a sustainable and inclusive society that "leaves no one behind."