My dear friend, Mr. Victor Angelo, took me and my wife to this impressive monument on the edge of the river leading to the Atlantic Ocean. It is dedicated to the 15th to 16th century Age of Discovery when Portuguese explorers set out across the oceans to seek the New World. They took one hundred years before they finally reached Japan in 1543. Please click here for detail.

　In a discussion moderated by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, Chairman of the Japan Institute of International Studies, the participants shared various viewpoints on the role and limitation of the United Nations in light of the dramatic global situation, the main issues before the UN General Assembly this year, and challenges Japan faces in the United Nations system On the issue of the United Nations, Professor Motohide Yoshikawa, former Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations and Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, President of the International Peacebuilding Association of Japan shared their views and perspectives.

　At the United Nations Association Office in Tokyo, the preparatory meetings for the next year’s JCK Youth Forum and the JCK OB/OG were held with Ms. Misato NAGAKAWA presenting a plan.

　UN Security Council is meeting on the prospect of accommodations between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his former deputy leader Riek Machar after they signed a peace deal at the IGAD summit meeting in Addis Ababa, Sept. 12, 2018.

　The arrival of autumn is celebrated by carrying the Mikoshi shrines that are said to hold the spirit of the deity of that shrine. Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival. It is paraded around local areas and signifies the prevention of misfortune and wishing for the happiness of its people. The mikoshi is shaken and rocked not just to make a racket, but rather a gesture for the deity, to have it involved in the fun of the festival. Also rocking the mikoshi is thought to enliven the land.

　At the same annual meeting of the heads of UN Associations of Japan, China and Korea held on August 27, 2018 at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Professor Ahn Byun-Jun of Korea gave a lecture on a theme entitled “Challenges to the Liberal International Order”.

　President of the Kofi Annan Foundation, Mr. Alan Doss, has indicated that Mrs. Annan and the family appreciated condolence messages received from many people in Japan and that the Foundation will continue to uphold Kofi Annan`s legacy.

　International student councils, where students from 30 countries from around the world and Japanese students conduct international exchanges and discussions, discussed the issues faced by the world in the week from August 25 while travelling around together in various parts of Japan. On the final day of September 2, we announced the results of our discussions and asked the president of the International Peacebuilding Association of Japan and former UN Secretary General and asked the chairman of the Japan International Peacebuilding Association to evaluate our presentations. (Masaaki Mabuchi, Emily Okabe)

　The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nippon Foundation co-hosted the Core Group Meeting of the Eminent Persons Group on Peace and Stability in Africa on 31st August and 1st September. Five former Heads of State were invited to the Meeting with the aim of suggesting proposals in the field of peace, security and stability in Africa. (MOFA Press Release)

　Japanese, Chinese and Korean students who were participating in the JCK Youth Forum in Paju Book City took a day tour to visit the observation site and the Dorasan Railroad Station.

　JCK Youth Forum participants adopted two resolutions on human rights and international terrorism and held extensive discussions on gender equality and climate change.

　Erick Johnson of the Japan Times writes former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who died earlier this month, was remembered by former Japanese diplomats and U.N. experts as a strong supporter of Security Council reform plans that could have given Japan a permanent seat.

　According to the Kofi Annan Foundation, Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully after a short illness, in hospital in Bern, Switzerland in the early hours of August 18 with his wife and children at his side.

　The General Assembly approved on August 10 the appointment of Michelle Bachelet as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights effective September 2018. Bachelet is a prominent women’s rights advocate who served as the first woman president in Chile and is expected to assert her leadership in advancing human rights in the world with rising racial tension and authoritarian rule.

　This is the report of the Preparatory Workshop for the 2018 JCK Youth Forum Japanese Participants on August 5-7 at the Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo.

　At a press conference held at UN Headquarters on July 20, US Secretary of State Pompeo stated Presidents Trump and Putin discussed how to return Syrian refugees who had fled the war-torn country during their behind closed doors meeting in Helsinki on July 16, 2018.