On February 21-29, 2016, the workshop “Environment – Waste Management” took place in Japan. This workshop was organised for experts from GUAM member-states by the Government of Japan within the framework of GUAM-Japan cooperation. This workshop involved representatives of the ministries and departments of these member-states, as well as a representative of the GUAM Secretariat.
In particular, on February 26, participants visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, where they met with Ambassador Mr. Toshihiro Aiki, the Special Representative for GUAM, as well as ambassadors of member-states accredited in Japan, in addition to the Deputy Director of the Department of Waste Management and Processing Environment of Japan. During the event, representatives of GUAM member-states gave presentations on the environmental situation and waste management in their respective countries, and also became acquainted with Japan’s policy in this field. During the event, participants also heard a presentation by the representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on activities in the construction of factories and infrastructure. After the event, there was a general discussion on further cooperation between Japan and GUAM in the field of waste management and environmental issues.
During the workshop, participants held meetings with the Bureau of Environment of Tokyo at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, as well as in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and with the Japanese International Agency at JICA. Participants visited a food waste disposal plant owned by the “Bioenergy” Corporation in the Ota region, the Adashi-city waste incineration plant, the Sunamachi Water Recycling Centre, the PCB treatment plant run by the Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO), as well as the Central Breakwater Outer Landfill Site.
During the seminar, representatives of these member-states also had the opportunity to visit the main attractions of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
The participants agreed that the experience gained during the workshop can be used as a basis for developing new projects within the GUAM-Japan format in the field of environment, ecology and waste management.
