In recent years, the United Nations Security Council – the primary organ for dealing with issues of international peace and security – has adjusted and adapted itself to the needs of the ever-transforming international community, including the issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

In partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Information Centre will organize a public symposium on the functions of the United Nations Security Council and Japan’s role on Monday, 25 January 2010 at the United Nations University Headquarters Building (UN House) in Shibuya, Tokyo. Focusing on the area of disarmament and non-proliferation where Japan is in a unique position internationally, the symposium will discuss how Japan could play its role especially in the arena of the Security Council. We hope that a wide range of people will attend.

Title:Public Symposium on the Functions of the United Nations Security Council and Japan’s Role: Countering Proliferation of WMD (tentative)
Time/Date:10:00-17:00, Monday, 25 January 2010 (Registration starts at 9:30)
Venue:Elizabeth Rose Conference Hall (5th floor), United Nations University Headquarters Building (UN House)
Hosted by:Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
Languages:Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation will be available)
Admissions:Free of charge
Registration:Pre-registration is required. Persons wishing to attend should register by sending e-mails to Sympo0125.mofa@nissansha.co.jp with subject for “Registration for symposium on 25 January.” Please make sure to include your name, organization, title, telephone/fax number and e-mail address.
Inquiry:Registration office for the symposium, Mr. Takahashi of Nissansha Inc.
(Tel: 03-5570-3509)

Programme (tentative):

Opening Remarks
An official form the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (TBC)

First Session
Theme:Achievement at the United Nations Security Council from the perspective of non-proliferation of WMD
Moderator: Mr. Kazuhiro Nakatani, Professor, Tokyo University Graduate School for Law and Politics

Second Session
Theme:Ensuring the effectiveness of the Security Council’s functions in addressing the proliferation of WMD
Moderator: Mr. Nobumasa Akiyama, Associate Professor, Hitotsubashi University

Third Session:
Theme: The Role of the Security Council in WMD non-proliferation and Japan’s contribution
Moderator: Mr. Toshiya Hoshino, Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University

Panelists

Mr. Olli Heinonen, Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency
Mr. Sergio Duarte, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations (TBC)
Mr. Masahiko Asada, Member of the Panel of Experts, 1718 Committee and Professor, Kyoto University
Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, United Nations
Mr. Chiaki Sakamoto, Senior Commentator, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
Mr. Nobuyasu Abe, Director, Center for the Promotion of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Mr. Koichiro Tanaka, Director, The Japanese Institute of Middle Eastern Economics Center, The Institute of Energy Economics
Mr. Fumihiko Yoshida, Editorial Writer, The Asahi Shimbun
Mr. Yukio Takasu, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

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United Nations Information Centre　　　　　　　　　　　国連広報センター
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