The Tokyo Conference is the first cross-cutting discussion platform in Japan that addresses a global agenda with the world’s leading think tanks representing 10 major democratic countries. These countries share common international norms and values such as rules-based order, multilateralism, democracy and individual freedom.
- Friday, March 24, 2023, 12:30–18:50 (GMT+9)
- Venue: Magnolia Hall, Second Floor, Tokyo Prince Hotel (3-3-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
- Organizer: The Genron NPO
- In-person attendance only
- Registration link: www.genron-npo.net/20230324-TheTokyoConference2023.html
Agenda:
12:30–12:50 p.m. (opening)
12:50–2:00 p.m.
Keynote Speeches: “2023 and Beyond: Our Responsibilities to the Future of the World”
What must democratic countries do to restore peaceful international order, avoid division and rebuild democracy?
- Mary Robinson (seventh president of Ireland, chair of The Elders)
- The Rt. Hon. William Hague (former foreign secretary, United Kingdom)
- Dr. S. Jaishankar (minister of external affairs of India), TBD
- Ignasius Jonan (former minister of energy and mineral resources, former minister of transportation, Indonesia)
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: “How Can We Work Together for Multilateral Cooperation and Peace?”
Panellists:
- Mary Robinson (seventh president of Ireland, chair of The Elders)
- The Rt. Hon. William Hague (former foreign secretary, United Kingdom)
- Ignasius Jonan (former minister of energy and mineral resources, former minister of transportation, Indonesia)
- Fabrice Pothier (former NATO director of planning)
- Moderator: Rohinton P. Medhora (distinguished fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Canada)
3:15–4:45 p.m.
Session 1: One Year of War in Ukraine — Can World Peace Be Restored?
A year has passed since war broke out in Ukraine, and there is still no end in sight. The war has deepened divisions throughout the world and has caused countries to increasingly consider security as a factor in all areas of governance. The problem remains that no effective opposition has been raised against Russia, a major power that has violated the territoriality and sovereignty of another country, and continues to violate the United Nations Charter and international law. Can the charter be harnessed to end the war in Ukraine and restore world peace, and what can be done to accomplish this?
Panellists: leaders and guest speakers from Istituto Affari Internazionali, the French Institute of International Relations, the Observer Research Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), the Getulio Vargas Foundation and The Genron NPO.
Speeches by: Fabrice Pothier, James M. Lindsay, Stefan Mair, Sunjoy Joshi, Thomas Gomart and Kudo Yasushi
Moderator: Fujisaki Ichiro (former Japanese ambassador to the United States)
4:45–6:15 p.m.
Session 2: What Is the Role of Democracies in the Restoration of Democratic Governance and Multilateral Cooperation?
In this session, attendees will discuss the issues democratic countries face as conflict deepens around the world, and review solutions to those issues. Two main issues will be considered: the first is what efforts should be made by democracies to prevent further global division, and the second is how to rebuild democracy itself. A public opinion poll was conducted last year by The Genron NPO and other organizations in 55 democracies around the world. It illustrated that people in these countries are losing trust in political parties, parliaments, governments and other democratic structures, and the usefulness of democracy in stabilizing people’s lives and resolving problems is being questioned. Attendees will look at what issues should be addressed as democracies around the globe are being tested.
Panellists: leaders and guest speakers from Istituto Affari Internazionali, the French Institute of International Relations, the Observer Research Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, RSIS, the Getulio Vargas Foundation and The Genron NPO.
Speeches by: Fabrice Pothier, Creon Butler, Ettore Greco, Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, Ong Keng Yong, Paul Samson and Kudo Yasushi
Moderator: TBD
6:15–6:50 p.m.
Presentation of the proposal to the G7 chair (Japanese government) and speech from Kishida Fumio (prime minister of Japan)
Closing remarks
