Visit to Japan and launch of the Human Development Report 2014

Original source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

1. On July 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the global launch of the Human Development Report 2014, which is published by the UNDP, was held at the United Nations University (UNU) with the Government of Japan serving as the host country. Additionally, prior to the global launch Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from H.E. Miss Helen Clark, Administrator of the UNDP.

2. In the courtesy call on Prime Minister Abe by Administrator Clark, Prime Minister Abe offered his congratulations on the launch of the Human Development Report, along with saying that he wants to cooperate with the UNDP on important issues, including disaster risk reduction, formulating the post-2015 development agenda, empowerment of women and promoting human security. In response, Administrator Clark thanked Prime Minister Abe for his attendance at the global launch, and said she wants to work closely with Japan on important development challenges.

3. At the global launch, Prime Minister Abe delivered an address (PDF) in which he said Japan will cooperate with the international organizations including UNDP and the international community, and will proactively contribute to building resilience, which is the theme of this year’s report. Administrator Clark delivered an address in which she said that in order to reduce vulnerability to conflicts and disasters and build resilience, measures concerning the provision of basic social services etc. are needed. Following the addresses, Administrator Clark handed Prime Minister Abe the Human Development Report. In addition, Director of the UNDP Human Development Report Office Khalid Malik gave a briefing of the 2014 report, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Akihiko Tanaka commented on the report.