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Asahi Newspaper (Evening Edition) October 09, 2013
Japan’s Experience can be Shared for Addressing Mercury Pollution
“The Mercury Convention” which sets regulation globally on the usage of mercury will be adopted in Kumamoto City on Oct. 10. In line with the Convention, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will finance projects which protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution.
Excerpts from the interview with the CEO and Chairperson of GEF:
Q: Why is GEF going to support mercury mitigation?
A: Mercury released by one country will spread to other countries through water and air and cause damage to human health and environment. Incentives and countermeasures by a single country tend to be ineffective. A multilateral institution can play a significant role when a global framework is required.
The emission in Asia is increasing, accounting for half of the world total. Measures are required to cover the entire life cycle from generation, manufacturing to disposal.
Through the tragic experience with the Minamata Disease, Japan has learned a lesson that early measures are essential. Japan has also developed technology to mitigate mercury from products. I hope Japan’s lessons and technology will be transferred.
Q: What is the role of GEF?
A: We will kick start projects as soon as the Convention enters into force, but the resources are limited. We are currently in discussion with donors for the replenishment. If we do not get sufficient support, allocation to projects in other areas such as climate change and biodiversity will be affected.
Q: What is the GEF’s financial base?
A: We have 4.2 billion dollars for the 4 year period ending in June next year. Japan is the second largest donor following the U.S. GEF is supporting innovative environment projects which are implemented by 10 implementing agencies including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and UNDP. Going forward, we feel the need to address deforestation caused by urbanization and food production, as well as decrease in fish stock.
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Nikkei Newspaper (Evening Edition) October 09, 2013
Japan’s Technology can be applied for Mercury Pollution Control
Supporting the “Mercury Convention” with Financial Mechanism
Dr. Naoko Ishii, GEF
The Mercury Convention was adopted on October 10, 2013 in Kumamoto, the scene of the Minamata Disease. Under the Convention, signatory countries will protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution worldwide. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), for which 183 countries are members, will help financing the implementation of the Convention. Dr. Naoko Ishii, 54, former Deputy Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Finance, is the first Asian to lead the GEF.
“Japan’s technology can be leveraged in many ways for mercury pollution control measures,” said Ishii, anxious to help matching corporations and needs of developing countries.
Ishii joined the Ministry of Finance in 1981 as the sixth female official. She chose the career by seeking to pursue her aspiration since university days to work in public policy.
With an abiding interest in the process of national development, Ishii became more interested in development policy. At the Harvard University, Ishii met Jeffrey Sachs, then an up-and-coming economist and now a professor at the Columbia University, and was profoundly affected. He enlightened Ishii that “development” and “environment” are not conflicting concepts but they are compatible. Serving both at the Ministry and multilateral institutions including the World Bank and IMF, Ishii consistently worked for the single agenda of development. Her superior leadership was particularly acknowledged during the tenure as the Bank’s Country Director for Sri Lanka in 2006.