We Are Tomodachi Summer 2017

7/38

7and once again we can count on Japan’s visionary role in achieving sustainable development not only in Japan but around the world with Japan as a role model and a partner to other countries. Japan continues to partner with countries that want to advance rapidly, for example by helping the Government of Rwanda to establish the new SDG Center for Africa in Kigali, a center of excellence that will provide advice, research, and networks for all African countries as they seek to achieve the SDGs. Japan is innovating on how to create new institutions, technologies, and policies for a society with a significant proportion of elderly people, a challenge of course spurred by Japan’s very high longevity. Japan’s breakthroughs in healthcare, support systems, and quality of life for the elderly will have great benefits throughout the world. Japan is also pioneering the pathway to a low-carbon economy to fulfill the Paris Climate Agreement, by deploying Japan’s world-class engineering excellence to promote energy efficiency, new materials, and new kinds of vehicles, such as Toyota’s fuel-cell vehicles.I have been a student and admirer of Japan’s broad, creative, and generous approach to economic development and human security for several decades. I have had the benefit of seeing the superb results up close within Japan, as well in many countries of Asia and Africa that have benefited enormously from Japan’s partnership and example. Our world today is faced with the challenge of preserving national cultures in a globalized world, and in combining economic, social, and environmental objectives in a balanced and peaceful strategy of sustainable development. Fortunately, Japan provides an inspiration and beacon of hope and guidance in these great global challenges.Jeffrey D. SachsJeffrey D. Sachs is University Professor and Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University. He is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and Special Advisor to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on the Sustainable Development Goals. Professor Sachs received the Blue Planet Prize in 2015 for his global leadership in sustainable development. He is the founder and director of the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which links hundreds of universities and think tanks around the world to support the Sustainable Development Goals.