NHK WORLD-JAPAN, the international service of Japan's sole public broadcasting organization, reported across the world the news of my meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on February 28.

 

Interviewed by NHK (New York, February 28, 2019)

NHK�fs report on March 1, 2019 follows:

�gUN, Nippon Foundation to protect marine resources�h

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pledged to step up cooperation with a Japanese foundation to protect marine resources.

Guterres met Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.

The foundation says Sasakawa and his staff explained they are planning to host a meeting in Tokyo in 2021 that will be attended by the leaders of about 70 island nations. Topics will include the negative effects of climate change on island nations, measures against ocean pollution, and training personnel for marine rescue operations.

Guterres reportedly offered UN support for the plan.

Guterres and Sasakawa also agreed to make greater efforts to encourage those who are working to protect marine resources.

Sasakawa told NHK that he asked Guterres to designate a "no ocean waste day," and the UN chief backed his proposal.

In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, which include the protection of marine resources. The UN says the involvement of the private sector will be essential for achieving these goals.