CSD 12
Statement of Japan
(Room 1, 10 :0013:00 21/4/2004)
Japan strongly and repeatedly appealed to the gatherings at the various
international fora including Johannesburg Summit that the greatest cause for Japan's
development to date, although the country does not have much natural resources, is due
to human resource development . Japan, also in the process of its growth, suffered
serious pollutions . So, behind the successful history of growth and development, we
also cannot disregard this experience in mistakes of serious pollution .
Japan wishes to share both the examples of successes as well as failures of
Japan's own experience, so that peoples in developing countries will not again repeat
the mistakes that Japan committed in the past.
To reduce poverty, the developing countries themselves must achieve good
governance, promote the liberalization and promotion of trade and investment and act
on development with ownership . The international community also needs to extend its
helping as an equal partner. In doing this, we must recognize that there are ways that
are suitable for each country, ways that may not be suitable in other countries that might
be suitable in a particular country . We should respect the ownership of each country,
each recipient of assistance, and provide assistance . This is Japan's assistance
philosophy.
In this context, partnership initiatives are flexible and useful tools . This is
why Japan, as host country of the International Ministerial Conference on the occasion
of the 3rd World Water Forum, announced PWA, Portfolio of Water Actions, which are
actions submitted by countries and international organization either individually or
collectively.
Mr. Chairman.
Japan has been by far the top donor among the bilateral and international
institutions, providing about US $1 billion, a third of the average of the total ODA
financial flow from during the period between 1999 and 2001 .
Japan is committed to continuing its efforts through various initiatives
including the partnerships .
