Asia
The 1st Mekong-Japan SDGs Forum
December 23, 2021
- The Government of Japan and the Royal Thai Government co-hosted the 1st Mekong-Japan SDGs Forum in an online format on December 20. The Forum was co-chaired by Mr. KANO Takahiro, Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Ms. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Ambassador Attached to the Ministry and Thailand’s Mekong SOM Leader, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
- Participants from Japan, the Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and Asian Institute of Technology attended this forum and exchanged their views and experiences.
- In the session 1, under the theme of "Towards Partnership for Health", participants discussed the issues and approaches to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) based on the principle of “leaving no one’s health behind”. Also, health system in each country, measures against COVID-19, international cooperation in health and medical field and future vision were introduced. Participants exchanged opinions for achieving the SDGs’ Goal No.3 “Good Health and Well-being” as well as for leading to the achievement of other SDG’s Goals. In the session 2, participants had discussions based on the theme of “Towards Sustainable Economic Recovery”. Participants introduced their efforts in the digital currency using blockchain technology, sustainable energy and investment promotion. Many of the cases which were introduced focused on Goal No.17 “Partnership for the Goals”. In the session 3, under the theme of “Towards Green and Inclusive Society”, participants from Mekong countries and international organizations raised issues related to “Climate Change” and “Water Resources Management”. With regard to climate change issues, participants concurred that they are important issues which international community should immediately deal with, and also consent to promote cross-regional efforts for the development of the entire Mekong region.
- Japan will continue to promote SDGs based on “The Mekong-Japan Initiative for SDGs toward 2030 (PDF)
” to make the Mekong region further sustainable, diverse and inclusive.