Reception on the Occasion of the 69th Executive Council of the World Meteorological Organization (May 12, 2017)
The Aid for Trade Global Review 2017 took place at the WTO headquarters in Geneva on 11 - 13 July 2017. The purpose of the Global Review is to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of Aid for Trade to provide a strong incentive to both donors and recipients for advancing the Aid for Trade agenda. This year's Global Review was dedicated to the theme of "Promoting Trade Inclusiveness and Connectivity for Sustainable Development".
(For further information, see WTO website.)
Mr. Tomochika Uyama, Deputy Director-General (Deputy Assistant Minister) of Economic Affairs Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, participated in the Aid for Trade Global Review 2017. Mr. Uyama delivered some key messages based on Japan’s experiences and views on Aid for Trade, which include:
- Trade is a key leading factor for economic growth, and economic growth generates resources for various development goals. In this way Aid for Trade serves for all targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- With the emergence of global value chains (GVCs), connectivity revolution through ICT plays a fundamental role. Digitalization serves as powerful catalysts for inclusion of women and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling greater inclusiveness in global trades.
- Foreign direct investments (FDIs) are critical to promote connectivity, obtain technologies and know-how and enhance competitiveness, and the key to attract FDIs is the improvement of business environment.
- In order to improve business environment, ownership and the dialogue with business people is critical. It is only on that basis that Aid for Trade can play its role.
Japan, as the top donor country of Aid for Trade, has provided assistance amounting to more than 45 billion USD between 2006 and 2015.
Link：Statement by Deputy Director-General Uyama at the Closing Plenary Session (13 July)
Side Event "Africa's Industrial Transformation: The Role of Digital Connectivity and the Need for Innovative Financing" (12 July) |
Plenary Session "Enhancing Connectivity and Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals" |