Sustainability Weeks 2010 Events and Activities
Workshop for the 2nd Amur-Okhotsk Consortium Meeting 2011
Overview
| Date | November 1 (Mon.) – 2 (Tue.) 13:00～ (Finished) |
| Organizer | Institute of Low Temperature Science & Slavic Research Center, Hokkaido University New Energy Resources Research Center, Kitami Institute of Technology |
| Co-Organizer | Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Hokkaido University Global COE Program “Reshaping Japan’s Border Studies” Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport |
| Venue | Hokkaido University Slavic Research Center |
- Language: Japanese, Russian, English
- Intended Audience: researchers, college students, general public
| Outline | The Amur-Okhotsk Consortium is an international network of scientists aiming to conserve the environment of the Amur River basin (shared by Mongolia, Russia and China) and the Sea of Okhotsk in its downstream area. This year, the consortium focuses on selecting topics of discussion for its second meeting scheduled for 2011. Established in November 2009, the consortium seeks to develop a common understanding of sustainable environmental use that does not damage the diversity of regional economies, society and culture. We look forward to the participation of students and citizens who are interested in the development of an international framework for environmental conservation. |
| Registration | Not-required |
| Fees | Free |
| Contact | Administration office of the Amur-Okhotsk Consortium, Pan Okhotsk Research Center, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University FAX: +81-(0)11-7142 E-mail : ao-symposium[at]lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp |
| URL | http://www.chikyu.ac.jp/AMOC/ |
Report
The Amur-Okhotsk Consortium is an international network of scientists involved in intensive multinational discussions on environmental conservation and sustainable development of the region covering the Amur River basin and the Sea of Okhotsk. The preparatory meeting for the 2nd Amur-Okhotsk Consortium Meeting 2011 included a workshop and the first day began with a lecture meeting for students and members of the general public. In addition to the representatives of the three member countries of the consortium (Japan, China and Russia), two representatives from Mongolia, which expressed interest in joining the consortium, as well as lecturers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA) spoke about problems in the Amur-Okhotsk region.
On Day 2, additional participants representing the Hokkaido University Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University Slavic Research Center, the Kitami Institute of Technology’s New Energy Resources Research Center, the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Hokkaido University Global COE Program “Reshaping Japan’s Border Studies,” and the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism discussed the operation of the consortium and the topics concerning the consortium. They decided to hold the 2nd consortium meeting in Sapporo on November 4-6, 2011. They also agreed that the member countries will continue to coordinate topics of discussion and that their representatives will make the necessary arrangements in their respective countries.
The workshop took place amid tense conditions due to discord between Japan and China over the collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard vessels near the disputed Senkaku Islands, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s sudden visit to Kunashiri Island on November 1. The scientists from Japan, China, Russia and Mongolia confirmed the need for the consortium as a forum based on scholarship which enables its members to meet regularly to discuss trans-boundary environmental problems. Forum members agreed to boost their activities by various methods, including improving the consortium’s web pages. The workshop was introduced in the morning edition of the Hokkaido Shimbun on November 3, 2010.
exchanging opinions
Q&A session
