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Asia-Pacific Water Summit
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Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the opening ceremony of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
After the address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince, Prime Minister Fukuda greeted the participants by saying, "The Asia-Pacific region enjoys spectacular growth and prosperity, but at the same time, the region is facing various water-related issues. Given that the majority of the world's water issues are concentrated in this region, there can be no escaping the fact that the situation is extremely severe." The Prime Minister then set out three important measures: securing safe and clean water sources; countermeasures for water disasters; and ensuring water supplies for agricultural use. Water has a large impact on global climate change issues, which affects humankind. In light of this, the Prime Minister said, "In order to resolve climate change issues, we must, as a matter of urgency, build an international framework that can lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. At the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit to be held next year, I will raise environmental and climate change issues as the major subject on the agenda, alongside various issues concerning development and Africa. I have a great expectation that active discussions at this Asia-Pacific Water Summit will impart considerable momentum and wisdom to the next G8 Summit." |