Purpose of the Event
The 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) was held in December 2016 in Cancun, Mexico, where governments, NGOs, and international organizations discussed the key theme of “mainstreaming biodiversity in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism.” This report meeting will invite experts from the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Nature Conservation Society to discuss the Japanese government’s initiatives and communications from COP13, as well as the trends in the international community.
At the first International Conference on Asia’s Biological and Cultural Diversity held in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in October 2016, discussions focused on how to protect the region’s rich natural environment and the local cultures that have developed around its use, leading to the adoption of the “Ishikawa Declaration.” The outcomes of this conference were reported at the “Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge, and Biological Cultural Diversity Muchttambal Summit” at COP13. The United Nations University proposed collaborating with Ishikawa Prefecture to enhance regional development and address challenges faced by developing countries through exchanges with communities in other Asian regions, focusing on World Agricultural Heritage and UNESCO Global Geoparks.
We will discuss how to advance “learning among regions” in Ishikawa while conserving and utilizing satoyama and satoumi resources, and how this can connect to local human resource development, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism promotion, as well as contribute to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Municipal officials and experts will join in this conversation.
We believe that the activities and local knowledge of those involved in the conservation and utilization of biological and cultural diversity in various parts of Ishikawa can be leveraged in mutual learning with communities in developing countries. By welcoming individuals engaged in such activities, the region can also gain significant insights. We invite those interested in participating in the learning platform promoted by the United Nations University, as well as anyone interested in movements within the international community and regional development.
Date and Time
February 9, 2017 (Thursday) 13:30 – 17:00 (Doors open at 13:00)
Organizers
United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability Ishikawa-Kanazawa Operating Unit (UNU-IAS OUIK)
Co-organizer
Ishikawa Prefecture (planned)
A space will be provided for printed materials. If you have materials to present, please contact us. Kindly inform us if you require accommodations for small children or are in need of wheelchair access upon registration. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Program (Tentative)
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13:30 – 13:40 Opening Remarks
- Tsunao Watanabe, Director, UNU-IAS OUIK
- Introduction of the “Ishikawa Declaration” by Tatsuya Katayama, Head of Planning Division, Ishikawa Prefecture.
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13:40 – 14:10 COP13 Report I: “Overview of COP13 Results and Expectations for the Region”
- Fumiko Nakao, Director, Biodiversity Earth Strategy Planning Division, Ministry of the Environment.
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14:10 – 14:40 COP13 Report II: “Movements Towards Achieving the Aichi Targets from the Perspective of Civil Society”
- Teppei Michie, Deputy Director, Japan Nature Conservation Society.
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14:40 – 15:00 COP13 Report III: “Considerations for Learning with Asia Centered on Biological Cultural Diversity”
- Mikiko Nagai, UNU-IAS OUIK.
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15:00 – 15:20 Coffee Break
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15:20 – 16:50 Panel Discussion: “Advancing Human Resource Development and Regional Development through Learning with Asia via Biological Cultural Diversity”
- Coordinator: Tsunao Watanabe, Director, UNU-IAS OUIK.
- Panelists: Fumiko Nakao, Teppei Michie, Tetsuyuki Ueda (Professor Emeritus, Ishikawa Prefectural University, President of Project Eye), Yuki Hagi (Organizer, Maruyama Group), Yoshiharu Iida (OUIK), and Yvonne Yu (OUIK).
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16:50 Closing Remarks by Koji Nakamura, Visiting Professor, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability.
