2. ACUNS News

As countries around the globe struggle to combat the new coronavirus pandemic, there is an urgent need for nation states to work together in handling this issue. Over 70 years ago, Albert Einstein and others developed the concept of a world federation as a remedy for dealing with such problems. In the midst of our fight against the evil of the new coronavirus, we have an opportunity to look to the future and deepen discussions toward forming a UN Parliamentary Assembly, then after that a world parliament and ultimately a world federation. Such a structure will transcend the Westphalian system of government to foster unity and cooperation between countries.

In a video message to a meeting of international organizations working on the spread of vaccines, Prime Minister Abe pledged $300 million in support of the development of vaccines for developing countries.

Dr. Ai Kihara-Hunt of the University of Tokyo calls for new and existing measures to be led by human rights as their guiding value, thus requiring all actors to pay special attention to vulnerable people.

(日本語) 安倍総理大臣は、新型コロナウイルスへの対応をめぐり、米中関係の対立が深まっているなか、日本は、ＷＨＯの総会において、公平で独立した包括的な検証を行うべきであるという決議案をＥＵや豪州等と協力をして提出をし、米国や中国も合意したと述べた。そして、日本は自由、民主主義、基本的人権、法の支配といった普遍的な価値を共有する国々と手を携えながら、国際社会での重要な役割、責任を果たしていく意向を示した。（記者会見に関しては、首相官邸のウエッブサイトを参照して下さい。）

Advisory Recommendations and Report of the Commission on Global Governance was presented to the Diet Committee for World Federalist Movement at the International Conference Hall of the Diet Members First Building in Tokyo. Please click here for the report.

小溝泰義氏は、米ロ新START条約の期限延長実現を基盤とする多数国間核軍縮交渉の働きかけ、広島･長崎への国際会議誘致や市民社会の議論の場の提供、日本国憲法第9条の理念を具体化して国際発信する必要などに言及した。

Please click here for his video message.

The 27th anniversary of the tragic ambush in Kampong Thom is being commemorated in midst of one of the largest planetary disasters in the last century, the COVID-19 pandemic. This extraordinary situation brings former UN Volunteer Electoral Supervisors, who on 8 April remembered the tragic killing of Atsuhito Nakata and his fellow interpreter Lek Sophiep, back to the very meaning of what took their lives, and gave them, back then, a renewed sense of optimism: at the heart of their UN engagement, what gave them the strength to continue in the face of adversity, the spirit of international cooperation, and going beyond self-interest.

Chair of the Japan Commission for Global Governance, Professor Sukehiro HASEGAWA accompanied by Mr. Masakuni TANIMOTO submitted its summary report, entitled “the role of Japan in enhancing global governance in addressing global issues and crises” which contained the recommendations made by six sub-committees concerning UN Reform, Environment, Disarmament, Parliamentary Diplomacy, Innovative Resources Mobilization, and Rule of Law.