On 18 June, the Japanese Government announced its decision to decorate Mr. Bruce Jenks, former Director, Partnerships Bureau of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening the partnership between Japan and UNDP.

As the chief of donor relations for 10 years from 2000 to 2010, Mr. Jenks contributed to increasing the overall quantity of UNDP activities by ensuring voluntary contributions from donor countries, which is the bedrock of UNDP’s operational activities for development.

With regard to UNDP’s relationship with Japan, a major donor in both bilateral and multilateral spheres, Mr. Jenks enhanced policy dialogue between Japan and UNDP by arranging regular visits of the UNDP Administrator to Tokyo, as well as frequently visiting Tokyo himself. As a result, Japan’s policy planning on development aid was advanced and its effectiveness in international cooperation was strengthened; particularly in areas such as Africa development, peace building and climate change, all of which are priorities for both Japan and UNDP.