The United Nations Information Centre, Tokyo held the launch of the MDGs Report 2013 on 3 July 2013. Ms. Keiko Osaki, Chief, Demographic and Social Statistics Branch, Statistics division, who is the author of the report, served as the briefer in Tokyo. The launch was given in two separate sessions, in Japanese and in English. About 140 people from embassies, academia, students, NGOs, and businesses participated in the briefing. They ardently listened to the briefing given by Ms. Osaki, about the progress of MDGs, with the deadline of 2015 approaches.

According to Ms. Osaki, some goals have already been or are about to be achieved, while others remain to be far from accomplishment. For example, the number of people living in extreme poverty and the proportion of slum dwellers has considerably decreased. However, accelerated efforts are required to ensure the environmental sustainability and the reduction of child mortality, Ms. Osaki underlined. In addition, the existence of disparities between different groups characterised by residential areas, financial situations, and gender were the most concerned problems.

In the following Q&A session, a number of questions were posed by the participants. Especially, many asked about the setting of a new development agenda to succeed the MDGs, including its specific targets and duration. An opinion was also shared, suggesting that the quality of the achievements should be pursued as well as its quantity. Ms. Osaki emphasised that the MDGs could be attained with supports not only from the UN and its Member States, but also from a wide range of actors in the civil society including businesses and NGOs.

Through the briefing by Ms. Osaki and active discussions, many participants recognised the importance of fully committed to the remaining two and a half years.

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