Statement by H.E. Ambassador Toshiya Hoshino, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the 18th Infopoverty World Conference
2018/4/13
(As delivered)
Thank you Chair,
Good morning, everyone.
These delegations are here in time for the opening, and good morning,
Ohayo-gozaimasu in Japanese. Actually to begin with, allow me to say that it is my great honor to speak at this opening of the 18th Infopoverty World Conference. I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated work of the Secretariat, of course, and all the participants of this meeting.
It has now been three years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and I cannot stress enough the importance of science and technology, particularly the information and communication technology, it’s vital role to play as cross-cutting drivers and a means of implementation of the Agenda.
And as we discuss the science and technology in the context of sustainable development, we must always consider how they are applied in the field and how they are incorporated into the economy or society of each and individual country context in a sustainable manner. To that end, national and international efforts are necessary. And we must also mobilize all stakeholders and promote their cooperation. Furthermore, it is important to realize and utilize not only the newest and most advanced technologies, but also existing science and technology solutions to achieve the SDGs and a society that leaves no one behind.
So in this connection, I’m very much impressed with actually the role of this Infopoverty World Conference, with its foresight I should say, because it started 18 years ago at the time of the MDGs, to think about the role of the science and technology in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals then. Now, we are in the next phase of the science and technology SDG goals, and actually, if I might add, from the very beginning of the SDG goals and its implementation, science and technology and innovation are already incorporated as a part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism. And I don’t want to take much of your time, but if I may add one thing, there is a related event to this Infopoverty World Conference and that is the STI Forum, which is scheduled in the 5th and 6th of June, which is talking about role of the science and technology and innovation of the advancement of the SDGs, in which not just the governments but also the private sectors and academia and civil society all discuss the role of STI for the advancement of the SDGs, and I say this because I am very honored to co-chair that event together with the esteemed Ambassador of Mexico, which we are mandated this year to talk about 5 SDG goals, those are number 6, number 7, number 11, number 12, and number 15. You might confuse what those goals are talking about, and they are talking about the water, energy, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and eco system on the land, and those other things.
But when I think about these achievement of the individual goals, I find the role of the science and technology, particularly the role of the communication and information and technology as cross-cutting and very important infrastructure. So in this regard, I really believe this Infopoverty World Conference as a forerunner with its foresight, with the world is now catching up with you. So, I would like to have further collaboration mutually and enhancing relationship with this forum.
And later in today’s meeting, various stakeholders from Japan, of course are close together with other experts from across the world including NGOs and the private sector, will announce their efforts to employ innovative methods and technologies toward sustainable development, including the efforts of a private company, a local government, we have a Karatsu city mayor here and a foundation from Japan. I hope that the many innovative solutions and best practices to be shared by the participants here today, and subsequently to be conveyed back to the field, so that we will contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.