Opening remarks from organiser and partners

Recorded Video

Guest Remarks

In his opening remarks, ISHIHARA Hirotaka, the Minister of the Environment, Japan, stated that the Asia-Pacific region is facing increasingly serious environmental and socioeconomic challenges, including the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, making it more difficult to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He pointed out that it is essential to create synergies that minimise trade-offs and maximise co-benefits to address these complex issues, emphasising that Japan has consistently taken an active role, such as leading the adoption of the Resolution on Promoting Synergies at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). He also stated that it is vital to sharing case studies taking into account unique regional characteristics for expanding practical synergistic initiatives, referring to the Asia-Pacific Synergies Report recently published by the Ministry of the Environment, IGES, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia (UNESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP). He expressed his expectation that this report, which compiles over 100 case studies and analyses, will serve as a valuable guide for practitioners across the region in national and governments, as well as the private sector and other organisations. Furthermore, he called for discussions at ISAP to cover synergistic practices and policy innovations to lead to the advancement of grass-roots initiatives, new partnerships and concrete actions, while reiterating the Ministry of the Environment's commitment to promoting synergies and accelerate progress toward achieving the SDGs.

The Vice Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, MORIMOTO Shinichi, offered his congratulations on ISAP being held in Hyogo Prefecture for the first time, and expressed his gratitude to IGES, with its long history of proposing innovative policy approaches and conducting research to achieve sustainable development not only in Japan but also across the Asia-Pacific region. IGES opened its Kansai Research Centre in 2001 and has forged a close partnership with Hyogo Prefecture over the past 25 years through various collaborative ventures, so it is deeply significant that ISAP2026 is being held in Kobe. He then introduced the three basic policies of the Sixth Hyogo Prefecture Basic Environmental Plan, formulated in March 2025, along with the main measures being implemented. Regarding the "Creation of Environmental Value," he highlighted efforts through eco-friendly and human-friendly farming to reduce environmental impact, conserve biodiversity, cut greenhouse gas emissions, revitalise local agriculture, and enhance the brand value of agricultural products. Under "Maximising Synergies Among Initiatives," he emphasised that, in collaboration with IGES, Hyogo Prefecture is working to form a Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere that simultaneously advance satoyama conservation and decarbonisation, with various sectors providing expertise and technology—thereby embodying the theme of this year's ISAP, which focuses on scaling up and solving multiple issues at once. Under "Demonstrating Co-Creation Power and Securing Future Leaders," he underscored the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders and mentioned the "Hyogo High School Environmental Future Leaders Project" conducted in partnership with IGES, expressing his hope that the young people who are instrumental in shaping the future will develop an international perspective and take a proactive role in solving local challenges to build a sustainable world going forward.

Welcome Remarks

TAKEUCHI Kazuhiko, President of IGES, opened by emphasising the urgency of internationally accelerating action against the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, while simultaneously translating these efforts into practical activities at the local and community levels to find solutions. He hoped that by holding ISAP2026 in Hyogo Prefecture, where IGES Kansai Research Centre (KRC) is based, discussions could be deepened on local resilience to overcome these crises. He stressed the need to pursue an integrated approach to find simultaneous solutions to multiple challenges by focusing on synergies between initiatives, rather than addressing each issue individually. He introduced the recently released Asia-Pacific Synergies Report which compiles actual synergy case studies being carried out in regions including Hyogo Prefecture, and urged that these efforts be shared so communities can learn from one another in the face of various crises, adapt local approaches, and work towards solutions. He expressed his hope that this ISAP would be an opportunity to disseminate a message to the world about regional synergy initiatives and community resilience to overcome crises. He then introduced the themes and main discussion points of each session, including green infrastructure, climate security, blue carbon, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) and youth initiatives. Finally, he expressed IGES ambition to further deepen collaboration in the Kansai region moving forward, using the KRC as a base to serve as a scientifically trustworthy partner for policy implementation.

Prepared by: Emma FUSHIMI (IGES)

Opening remarks from organiser and partners

Guest Remarks

ISHIHARA Hirotaka

Minister of the Environment, Japan [video]

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Guest Remarks

MORIMOTO Shinichi

Vice Governor of Hyogo Prefecture

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Welcome Remarks

TAKEUCHI Kazuhiko

President, IGES

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