Japan, Australia, the US, and the EU co-hosted the Online Symposium in the UN on the Abductions Issue.
On June 16, 2022, Japan, Australia, the US, and the European Union co-hosted the online symposium in the UN on the abductions issue, as a side event of the UN, with participation of the members of Permanent Missions to the UN in New York.【 UN Web TV】
https://media.un.org/en/asset/k12/k12md02jr2
Online Symposium in the UN on the Abductions Issue: International Cooperation to Solve the Abductions Issue as a Global Issue
1 Opening Remarks ISHIKANE Kimihiro Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN
2 Keynote Remarks MATSUNO Hirokazu Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister in Charge of the Abduction Issue of Japan
3 Remarks by the representatives of co-hosts
(1) Linda Thomas-Greenfield Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN
(2) Mitch Fifield Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN
(3) Olof Skoog Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the UN
4 Remarks by a member of the House of Representatives of Japan FURUYA Keiji Chairman of the Committee of Congressional Members to Act for the Early Rescue of Japanese Victims Abducted by North Korea
5 Appeal by the Families of Victims
(1) YOKOTA Takuya Representative of the Association of Families of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
(2) IIZUKA Koichiro Secretary-General of the Association of Families of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
(3) HAYASAKA Enakichi Secretary of the Family Association of the Missing Persons Probably Related to the DPRK
HAYASAKA Yuji Brother of HAYASAKA Katsuo
(4) James Sneddon Brother of David Sneddon
(5) Banjong Panchoi Nephew of Anocha Panchoi
6 Panel Discussion
[moderator]
HOSHINO Toshiya Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University
[panelist]
Alastair Morgan Former Ambassador of the UK to North Korea
Jonas Michael Wendel Former Ambassador of Sweden to North Korea
7 Closing Remarks ISHIKANE Kimihiro Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN
Following opening remarks by H.E. Mr. ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, H.E. Mr. MATSUNO Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister in Charge of the Abduction issue of Japan, delivered
After the keynote remarks, remarks by the representatives of co-host, remarks by a member of the House of Representatives of Japan by Mr. FURUYA Keiji, Chairman of the Committee of Congressional Members to Act for the Early Rescue of Japanese Victims Abducted by North Korea, and appeal by the families of victims followed. At the panel discussion, former ambassadors to North Korea discussed the current situation in North Korea, the ways to resolve the abductions issue, and so on, based on their experiences posted in North Korea.
This symposium was live-streamed on UN Web TV (in English) and the official YouTube Channel of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, the Government of Japan (in Japanese) and was broadcasted to North Korea on radio by the Government of Japan and the US Agency for Global Media.
