Holding of International Conference with United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in Autumn 2021

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), in consultation with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and Aichi Prefectural Government, have agreed to jointly hold the following international conference at "Aichi Sky Expo", Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center in the autumn of 2021.

1. International Conference 2021 in Aichi Prefecture
1) The 14th Intergovernmental Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia
This International Conference has been held since 2005 to promote high-level policy dialogue in cooperation with UNCRD, aiming to achieve EST (Environmentally Sustainable Transport) in the Asian region.
2) The 3rd ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network (ASCN) High-Level Meeting is designed to effectively disseminate information on Japan's smart cities and "quality infrastructure development" to ASEAN countries where rapid urbanization is progressing, as well as to cooperate in promoting smart cities in each ASEAN citiy. The conferences had been held since 2019.

2. Agreed items
1) UNCRD, MOE, MLIT and Aichi Prefecture agreed to jointly hold the following International Conferences related to UNCRD in Aichi Prefecture, which are scheduled to be held in the autumn 2021 and will coordinate with related parties.
① The 14th Intergovernmental Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia
② The 3rd High Level Meeting of ASEAN-Japan Smart City Network (ASCN)
2) This is subject to the approval of the initial budget for FY2021. Depending on the situation of the spread of the COCID-19 pandemic, the meeting may be held online.
3) The Preparatory Meeting for the International Conferences in Autumn 2021 will be established to coordinate among the international conferences and common events.

3. Others
A related conference of the UNCRD affiliated High-level Experts Panel on Water and Disaster (HELP) will be held at Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center.
The HELP is an international panel established to strengthen national efforts against water-related disasters, to promote global awareness, and to make various recommendations and support, composed by cabinet-level officials from various countries and leaders of international organizations.

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