On April 5, Director-General of the DPJ International Department Issei Tajima received a courtesy call from the Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative Office in Japan, Akiko Yuge, who also serves as Special Advisor to UNDP Administrator Helen Clarke. Yuge was assigned to her current post on April 1. The meeting was also attended by the former Interim Director and current Deputy Director of the UNDP Tokyo Office.

At the start of the meeting, Tajima welcomed the UNDP delegation and expressed his appreciation for the assistance received from the international community, including international organizations, in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and said, “Although our financial situation is severe, we would like to continue to cooperate with the UNDP.”

Director Yuge said, “While Japanese financial condition is difficult, we appreciate your generous contribution at a time when Japan’s finances are under pressure. In order to clarify the way in which such contributions are used, we are trying to explain the content of our programmes by publishing brochures and uploading information onto our website. Japan’s contribution will be utilized for aid to Afghanistan, as well as other programmes. Also we acknowledge the importance of the Japan/UNDP partnership, and we would like to continue to strengthen the partnership with Japan with regard to such issues as poverty reduction, climate change, attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), peacebuilding, and TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development)”

Both also exchanged opinions on the state of Japanese staff within the UN, and the meetings concerning development and natural disaster to be held in Japan in the near future. The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to continue with their mutual cooperation.