New York, 12 February 2023 – The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, will undertake an official visit to Tokyo, Japan from 15-19 February, at the invitation of the Government of Japan. The working visit will focus on strengthening the relationship between the UN General Assembly and Japan as well as ensuring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular emphasis on applications of integrated scientific research to support water disaster resilience and sustainability.
On 17 February, the President of the General Assembly will have a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister’s Office. The courtesy call is expected to touch on strengthening relations between the Government and the UN General Assembly.
President Kőrösi will have discussions with Foreign Minister Hayashi. Topics to be raised will include global and regional security issues, including UN Security Council reform, and the role of the General Assembly in uniting the international community to promote the rule of law.
The President will also visit the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Tsukuba Space Centre, and the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM). These site visits will include presentations on water- and climate-related projects, ongoing work with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, and the provision of graduate studies for practitioners from developing countries.
Given the importance that President Kőrösi places on the inclusion of civil society organizations and young people in the advancement of sustainable development, on 16 February he will address a symposium on how we can reach the SDGs and will have a dialogue with the participating researchers, civil society representatives and students. Regarding climate change mitigation and steps to preserve the planet, on 18 February he will participate in a high-level symposium at GRIPS, bringing together renowned scientists and senior decision-makers. The focus of the event is expected to be on integrated flood management.
The President will travel with four personnel from his Office. The trip is paid for by the Government and the OPGA Trust Fund. All efforts are made to keep the President’s trips as cost-, time- and environmentally-efficient as possible.