Protecting the Global Environmen
Development Assistance for the Environment

(1) Parks in Peril Program

As one way to protect biodiversity, we are jointly providing financial and technical assistance for local NGOs which are protecting the environment of national parks in five countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Japan is contributing about 25 million yen in grant assistance for grass-roots projects.

(2) Indonesia Biodiversity Program

In western Java, Japan is providing material for research projects and computers needed to compile a database on the area's varied life forms; Japan is also transferring technology for flora and fauna classification and for biodiversity protection. In addition, Japan provides assistance for the construction of monitoring stations and park management offices in national parks, supplies equipment needed for management purposes, and transfers related technology. The United States is funding the Indonesia Biodiversity Foundation (Yayasan Kehati), a private organization which supports NGOs working for the protection of the area's rich variety of flora and fauna. The U.S. also intends to provide technical assistance in the future.

(3) Central and Eastern European Environmental Initiative

To assist in environmental improvements in Central and Eastern Europe, we have adopted the Central and Eastern European Environmental Initiative. We have established a committee of Japanese and U.S. specialists, entrusting them with the research of environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe. Under the Initiative, a number of projects are being carried out, with priority placed on addressing environmental problems that adversely affect citizens' health. To date, Japan has provided yen loans (one to Hungary, valued at 4.11 billion yen, and two to Bulgaria, valued at 6.31 billion yen) for environment-related projects. In addition, Japan and the U.S. sent a joint study mission to the Slovak Republic and Lithuania in July 1994.