 Foundation of IETC
(1990-1992)
UNEP Gave Positive Sign for Establishment
of a Water-related Facility, January 1990
UNEP conveyed its intention to the Japanese Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) that it would take progressive action toward the establishment
of a new UNEP unit in Japan. The Shiga Prefectural Government (SPG) and the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs began discussions on how to set up the facility and
on the sharing of operational costs.
Prime Minister Kaifu's
G-7 Meeting Announcement of a Proposal to Establish the UNEP Global Environmental
Technology Centre, July 1990
Mr. Kaifu, the then Prime Minister of Japan, made
a proposal at the Houston G-7 Summit to establish "the UNEP Global Environmental
Preservation Centre" (provisional name). This would be an integral part of
a UN-related organization along the lines of the United Nations University in
Tokyo. The centre's main objective would be to develop a database on technology
information for global environment protection and provide advisory service/training.
Shiga Prefectural Government
and Osaka City Government Continue Dialogue with UNEP, August 1990
Staff of the Shiga Prefectural Government (SPG) visited
UNEP headquarters in Nairobi to request the establishment of a new UNEP unit in
Shiga Prefecture. In the meeting, SPG offered one hectare of land at Cape Karasuma
in Kusatsu City and proposed to build an office facility to accommodate for the
UNEP unit free of charge. Osaka City also announced its intention to invite UNEP
to establish a new unit in Osaka. The Municipality indicated its intention to
establish the "Global Environmental Preservation Centre" (provisional
name) at the site of Expo '90.
UNEP GC Decision 16/34
Which Calls upon the Executive Director of UNEP to Establish UNEP IETC in Japan,
May 1991
In this Decision, the UNEP Governing Council called
on the Executive Director to continue his efforts toward the establishment of
IETC which would operate as an integral part of UNEP and be, thereby, under its
supervision. The Decision called upon Governments, United Nations organizations
and bodies, other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to cooperate
in the establishment of UNEP IETC. Provided the establishment of the Centre, the
Governing Council recommended the gathering of an International Advisory Board
composed of members with various backgrounds.
Establishment of Global
Environment Centre (GEC) Foundation, January 1992
For the purpose of supporting the establishment of
the UNEP IETC offices in Osaka, the IETC Osaka Establishment Preparation Office
founded the Global Environment Centre (GEC) Foundation
on January 28, 1992 with a capital endowment received from the Osaka Prefectural
and Municipal Governments. In addition to providing staff and logistical support
to UNEP IETC Osaka, GEC collaborates on joint projects and serves as a liaison
between UNEP IETC and related organizations in Japan.
UNEP IETC Inauguration,
30 October 1992
The Government of Japan, represented by Parliamentary Vice-Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Koji Kakizawa, and UNEP, represented by then Executive
Director, Dr. Mostafa K. Tolba, signed an agreement to set up the UNEP International
Environmental Technology Centre (IETC). Following the signing, an official inauguration
ceremony for the new UNEP Centre took place in Osaka.
[MANDATE]
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[PARTNERSHIP] [SUPPORTING
FOUNDATIONS]
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