2018.02.14

The Brazilian Ambassador to Japan H.E.Mr. André Aranha Corrêa do Lago gives a lecture

An Open Lecture titled “SDGs and Climate Change Negotiations in the UN, and the Role of Brazil ” was held at the University’s Kiyoshi Togasaki Memorial Dialogue House on Thursday, December 14, 2017. The lecture was conducted in English.

The speaker was H.E.Mr. André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Japan. Ambassador Corrêa do Lago was Brazil’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change and for Rio+20 Conference held in 2012. This lecture was held as part of the course “Debates in International Relations” taught by Distinguished Professor Motohide Yoshikawa, former Japanese ambassador to the United Nations.

The Brazilian ambassador explained the international efforts on environmental issues since 1970s, which led to the agreements at the UN on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the Climate Change in 2015. He also spoke on the positive role of Brazil during the past decades. In addition, he mentioned about the challenges of the international community, including emerging and developing countries, to enjoy the benefits of globalization and at the same time to realize sustainable development. Ambassador Corrêa do Lago and Professor Yoshikawa explained the negotiation techniques in diplomacy based on their own experience.

The lecture was followed by lively discussion with the audience. Questions related to the specific role of Brazil in the Climate Change debate, the role of UN and member states, the effect of SDGs in solving the problem the earth were raised and answered. In the audience were, in addition to students who are taking the course on “Debates in International Relations”, faculty members and other ICU students. It was a very good opportunity to think about the global problem of climate change and the development and how countries in various stage of development can tackle this important challenge.

written by Saki Asuka, 3rd year student of College of Liberal Arts