UN DAY 2010
“Only five years left before the 2015 deadline –
MDGs: What have we achieved, what remains to be done?”

UN Day is held each year in commemoration of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945. The Theme for UN Day 2010 is the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aim to drastically reduce global poverty by 2015. However, the UN cannot achieve these crucial objectives in isolation, and seeks the support and involvement of as many people as possible.

At the closing of the MDG Summit held in September of this year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a unified approach: “Together we can do it. Partnerships for development deliver real results on the ground. We can achieve the MDGs if all sectors of society – the international community, national governments, business, the philanthropic sector, voluntary organizations and civil society at large – come together for a push to 2015”.

Accordingly, UN entities in Japan will gather at UNU HQ Building on Friday 22 October, to collectively present “UN Day 2010 – MDGs: What have we achieved, what remains to be done?” On the Day, a talk show and panel discussion will highlight ways in which the MDGs initiative has achieved meaningful progress in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and education, while also drawing attention to the significant challenges still faced. Outside, “Farmer’s Market @ UNU” will offer passersby a chance to purchase agricultural goods directly from producers and obtain UN information materials, while enjoying food stands and musical performances.

With only five years remaining to the 2015 deadline, it is hoped that UN Day 2010 will provide an opportunity for each of us to consider how we – both as individuals and together with Japan as a nation – can contribute to the eradication of global poverty through the MDGs. Those wishing to participate in the indoor programme for UN Day 2010 are kindly asked to submit a completed application ( https://www.unic.or.jp/files/ee/pdf/unday2010.pdf )form via email or fax, by Thursday 21 October (fax: 03-5467-4455, email: event@untokyo.jp).

Event:UN DAY 2010 “Only five years left before the 2015 deadline – MDGs: What have we achieved, what remains to be done?”
Date:12:30-17:00, Friday, 22 October 2010
Venue:United Nations University HQ Building Map: http://www.unu.edu/access/
Organized by:UN Communications Group in Japan (comprising all UN entities located in Japan)
Supported by:Inquiries:Ministry of Foreign AffairsUnited Nations Information Centre (Tel 03-5467-4451)

Programme (tentative)

Part 1
12:30-13:00Talk show “Things I have seen and felt in the field”
Guest: Ms. Kurara Chibana, WFP Celebrity Partner
(Venue: In front of the UNU HQ Building)

13:00-13:30Live performance: Message songs for “Save Mothers”
by “XUXU,” UNFPA’s “Save Mothers” campaign supporter
(Venue: In front of the UNU HQ Building)

* Farmer’s Market @ UNU, a group of farmers who set up a market in front of the UNU HQ Building to sell their fresh products during weekends, will participate in the celebration of UN DAY 2010 in Tokyo. The market will be open through the weekend. UN agencies will also set up information booths in the market, providing leaflets and handouts about the work of the UN focusing on MDGs.

Part 2 *Pre-registration is required.

14:00-16:00Interactive Panel Discussion on MDGs: “Only five years left before the 2015 deadline – MDGs: What have we achieved, what remains to be done?”
(Venue: U Thant International Conference Hall, 3rd Floor)

-Opening remarks by Mr. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector, UNU
-Video Message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
-Remarks by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ikuo Yamahana
-Video Message from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and MDG Champion
Ms. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
-Overview of the MDG Summit by Mr. Shunichi Murata, Director, UNDP Tokyo Office
-Panel discussion moderated by Ms. Mari Yamashita, Director, UNIC

-Practices to reduce hunger and poverty in Venezuela
by H. E. Mr. Seiko Luis ISHIKAWA Kobayashi, Ambassador, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
-Reduction of maternal mortality in Cambodia through quality care for pregnant women
by Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami, Director, UNFPA
-Actions to reduce child labour in Ghana’s cacao plantation and India’s cotton fields
by ACE, a Japanese NGO, in collaboration with ILO
-Total sanitation at schools in Nepal
by Mr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Director, UNICEF Japan
-Collaboration between industry and academia: the case of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh
by Mr. Asir Ahmed, Gust Associate Professor, Kyushu University

Part 3
16:00-18:30Mini concert at Farmer’s Market @ UNU
(Venue: In front of the UNU HQ Building)