Initiatives for Environmental Cooperation

Environmental Policy Dialogues

In order to transfer Japan's experiences and promote cooperation that meets needs, the Ministry of the Environment fosters environment policy dialogues through regional forums, cooperation with international organizations, and bilateral cooperation.

The Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among Japan, China and Korea (TEMM)

In addition to geographical and historical ties, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea share similar environmental problems such as those concerning air and ocean quality. In order to exchange views on regional and global environmental issues and to strengthen mutual cooperation, these three countries have conducted Tripartite Environment Ministers Meetings every year since 1999.
At the 8th meeting, held in Beijing in December 2006, ministers discussed both global environmental problems and issues particular to the Northeast Asia sub-region such as climate change, dust storms, sandstorms and acid deposition.

The Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting
among Japan, China and Korea

Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation (NEAC)

This conference has been held annually since 1992 to exchange views and policy dialogue among environment experts from Japan, China, Mongolia and Russia and the Republic of Korea, and for deeper discussions on environmental cooperation in the region. The Conference has drawn the participation of experts from environmental authorities, local governments, and research institutes from the five countries, as well as observers from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and other international organizations. In the 13th NEAC, held in Seoul, Korea in December 2004, a symposium on Air Quality Management Policy in Metropolitan Area was held, and discussions covered three subjects: Species Restoration, Ecological Restoration in Local Government, and Sustainable Management of Industrial Complexes. Also, the 14th NEAC was held inTokyo of Japan in February and the 15th NEAC was held in Ulsan of Korea in March. Review of NEAC and Future role of NEAC were discuss there.

Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation

Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA)

The Ministry of the Environment has hosted ECO ASIA since 1991 with the objectives of providing a forum for free and frank exchange of views between environmental ministers in Asia and the Pacific region, promoting regional environmental cooperation; and achieving sustainable development in the region.
The Ministry of the Environment held the 16th Environment Congress for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA 2008) on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in the Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. The congress was chaired by Environment Minister Saito and joined by representatives from 11 countries from the Asia-Pacific region and 16 international organizations.
In the congress, participants focused on "Biodiversity" as the main theme, and actively discussed what stances should be taken as well as the style of cooperation in Asia and Pacific as regards "Road to 2010 and Beyond" and "Concrete Actions for Biodiversity". The points of the discussion were worked up in the Chair's Summary.

Besides the congress itself, three affiliated projects have been implemented under ECO ASIA:
1. Asia-Pacific Environmental Innovation Strategy Project (APEIS)
2. Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED)
3. Environmental Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (ECO ASIA NET)
http://www.env.go.jp/en/earth/ecoasia/index.html

Ministers, Heads of Delegates and Resource Persons

Regional EST (Environmental Sustainable Transport) Forum in Asia

The Regional EST Forum in Asia is a high-level governmental policy dialogue established through the collaboration of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and UNCRD (United Nations Centre for Regional Development) toward the realization of EST (Environmental Sustainable Transport) in the Asian region. The Forum is comprised of government representatives (from both environment and transport ministries) from 14 Asian countries (ASEAN-10, China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and Japan), and academic experts in the transportation and environment fields.
The first meeting of the Regional EST Forum in Asia was held in Nagoya, Japan in August 2005, and the Aichi Statement was adopted, which included declarations on the periodical holding of the Forum, the fundamental concept of EST in Asia, and the formulation and implementation of a national EST strategy cum action plan in each country, through the initiative of UNCRD.
The second meeting of the Forum was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in December 2006, and all participating countries reported on their current EST-related activities and shared best practices.
Based on the results of these forums, the Ministry of the Environment will actively support the activities of UNCRD in collaboration with other participating countries and continuously make efforts to achieve Environmental Sustainable Transport in the Asian region, including in Japan..

Bilateral Environmental Policy Dialogues

Japan has concluded the Japan-China Environmental Conservation Cooperation Agreement and Japan-Republic of Korea Environmental Conservation Cooperation Agreement, and promotes policy dialogues among environmental policymakers.