27 February 2025
Following the case of last year, OISCA organized the 46th International Forum, a luncheon meeting with Tokyo-based foreign diplomats on February 27, 2025 at the International Conference Room of the House of Representatives First Members Office Building. The Forum aims to expand networking and promote cooperation between OISCA and foreign diplomatic missions in Japan. It was attended by a total of 15 diplomats from 11 countries including 5 Ambassadors (Cambodia, Myanmar, Palau, Thailand, and Uzbekistan) and one Charge d’Affaires a.i. (Maldives). In addition, the Director and the Deputy Director of Non-Governmental Organizations Cooperation Division of the Foreign Ministry and observers from OISCA supporting private companies (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyu Hotels, and L’Occident) also attended the forum.
Mr. Kitsuki Fumio, OISCA International Secretary General, opened the forum with his brief remarks.
Despite his busy schedule of the Diet deliberations, Hon. Mr. Tani Koichi, Chair, Special Committee for Regional Revitalization, Policies on Children and Digital Society Promotion, House of Representatives, and who is serving as Secretary General of the Association of Japanese Diet Members Supporting OISCA, graced the event with his short speech.
Mr. Tani said that the Association has a 60-year long history since its establishment with more than 120 Diet Members including Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru as its members. These Diet Members have visited various OISCA project sites overseas and observed that the OISCA staff members are working hard and sweating it out in the field together with local people. He then conveyed the Prime Minister’s message to the forum participants. Mr. Tani concluded his speech by saying that the Association would continue to strongly support OISCA activities.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nakano Etsuko, OISCA International President, delivered a welcome speech. She first expressed appreciation for the diplomats who took time to attend the forum in the midst of their hectic official duties.
She emphasized OISCA’s basic philosophy: “Never leave the soil and described the historical evolution of OISCA activities since its foundation in 1961. She affirmed that OISCA would continually carry out its activities, fight against natural disasters and save our planet. She said that she would welcome advises and suggestions from the participating diplomats.
Thereafter, Mr. Iwakami Kenzo, Director, Non-Governmental Organizations, Cooperation Division, International Cooperation Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, presented an overview of the government grant assistance program for NGOs. He mentioned that last year, OISCA utilized grant assistance for its projects in Thailand, Indonesia and Uzbekistan and this year, applied for its sericulture project in the Philippines. It has been approved, and the agreement will be signed in Manila soon. He said that in FY 2023, the cumulative total of the grant assistance reached about \7 billion for various projects in 39 countries, mainly in the Asian and Pacific region.
Then, Mr. Kitsuki Fumio, Secretary General of OISCA International, made a summary presentation on OISCA’s vision, mission, and basic activities: capacity development, forestation, Children’s Forest Program (CFP), sustainable agricultural development, and livelihood improvement.
After that, the meeting moved to an open dialogue while Mr. Nagaishi, OISCA International Executive Vice President, serving as a moderator. The foreign diplomats made a variety of comments and suggestions one by one.
Ambassador Abdurakhmonov Mukhsinkhuja of Uzbekistan stated that OISCA’s reforestation project in the Aral Sea desertification area is a very ambitious undertaking covering 40,000 hectares. Preventing the desertification of the Aral Sea area is, not only national, but also regional and international issue. The Ambassador affirmed that Uzbekistan government would totally support OISCA’s activities.
In response, Mr. Nagaishi of OISCA said that the project is not concerned with just one country, but practically affecting the whole planet. OISCA is focusing not only on tree planting but also on the improvement of the local people’s livelihood.
Ambassador Peter Adelbai of Palau revealed that his government would be willing to sign a MOU with OISCA. Also, Mr. Shafraz Rasheed, Charge d’Affaires, a.i., of Maldives, stated that his country would be signing a MOU with OISCA to strengthen cooperation in agricultural and youth training.
On his part, Ambassador Witchu Vejjajiva of Thailand, two noteworthy suggestions. Referring to his personal experience of taking part in OISCA’s forestation project carried out on Mt. Fuji last year, he proposed that the forum should be open more widely to include a greater number of private companies. He further added that OISCA might tap the Thai private sector for funding in the future.
Mr. Nagaishi of OISCA appreciated valuable suggestions of the Ambassador. He said that the Thai multinational corporations would be able to make an important contribution.
In conclusion, Mr. Nagaishi thanked the foreign diplomats, the Foreign Ministry officials and representatives of the private companies for their positive participation. He said that the OISCA secretariat would carefully consider the constructive ideas and suggestions put forward so that they might be materialized.
the left side is Mr. Kitsuki Fumio, Secretary General of OISCA International, serving as an interpreter
