Co-organized by Japanese Ministry of Finance, World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
Sponsored by Japanese Financial Services Agency

Jamal Saghir, World Bank Director for Energy, Transport and Water

March 26, 2008, Tokyo –  Signaling the stepped-up efforts of the public and private sectors in Japan on issues of environment and climate change, Japan’s Ministry of Finance and the Bank convened a one-day Symposium on “Environment and Engagement of the Private Sector” - Toward G8 Summit. 

The day’s events featured in-depth presentations and discussions on ways to catalyze private sector action on climate change. The program brought together experts in the finance industry, Japanese government, academia, and major multilateral development banks in anticipation of the attention likely to be given these issues during the G8 Finance Ministers’ meeting in June and the G8 Summit at Lake Toya, Hokkaido, in July.

More than 140 people gathered at the symposium

The collective testimony and discussion from major Japanese financial institutions, Japanese government officials, The World Bank Group, ADB, and environment experts highlighted the Herculean efforts that will need to be taken in public-private sector partnerships in order to move closer to a low-carbon society.

There were over 140 attendees, comprising diplomats, executives from major Japanese corporations, government, environmental groups, academics, and civil society organizations. In addition to MoF and the Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBi), and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) all assisted in organizing the event. The symposium was sponsored by the Japanese Financial Services Agency.

Program:

09:00-09:10   Welcome speech by Mr. Otohiko Endo,
                    Senior Vice Minister of Finance of Japan (TBC)

09:10-11:00   Session 1: “Environment Issues, MDBs’ Challenges and Catalyst Rolefor the  Private  Sector”, moderated by Mr. Kazushige Taniguchi,Acting Special Representative, Japan, The World Bank

Main Speakers
Mr. Liqun Jin, Vice-President, Operations 1, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Mr. Jamal Saghir, Director, Energy, Transport and Water, World Bank Resource (PDF)

Discussants
Mr. Takehiko Nakao, Senior Deputy Director-General, International Bureau,  Ministry of Finance
Mr. Ryutaro Yatsu, Councilor for Global Environment, Ministry of Environment
Mr. Yoshihiro Fujii, Professor, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University

11:00-11:20   Coffee break

11:20-12:50   Session 2: “Sustainability: Social/Environmental Guidelines and IFC/Bilateral Agency’s Environmental Activities”, moderated by Mr. Kuniki Nakamori, Resident  Director General, Japanese Representative Office, ADB

Main Speakers
Ms. Motoko Aizawa, Head, Poilcy and Standard Unit, Corporate E&S Framework, International Financel Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Katsuhiko Okazaki, Director General, Environment Analysis Department, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)

Discussants
Mr. Joseph A. Kraft, Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets Japan and Deputy Tokyo Branch Manager, Dresdner Kleinwort
Mr. Junji Annen, Attorney, Professor, Chuo Law School

12:50-14:20   Break (Lunch time)

14:30-15:30   Session 3: “Private Financial Institutions’ Engagement in Environment Issues 
and  its Future”, moderated by Mr. Yasushi Onishi, Director,  Development Issues, Ministry of Finance

Main Speakers
Mr. Osamu Odawara, Head of Sustainable Development Department, Global Structured Finance Division, Mizuho Corporate Bank

Ms. Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Asia Pacific Region, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)

Ms. Mari Yoshitaka, Deputy Chairman, CDM/JI Senior Consultant Clean Energy Finance Committee, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities

Discussants
Mr. Koji Sato, General Manager, CSR Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Mr. Mitsuru Muraki, General Manager, Corporate Planning Department, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance
Mr. Norio Suzuki, Assistant General Manager, Emissions Reduction Business Unit, Mitsubishi Corporatio

15:30-15:50  Coffee break

15:50-16:50  Continuation of Session 3

16:50-17:00  Closing remarks by Mr. Takehiko Nakao, Senior Deputy Director-General,  International Bureau, Ministry of Finance