2023 Hiroshima Business Forum for Global PeaceHiroshima for Global Peace

2023 Hiroshima Business Forum for Global Peace

The forum is held for concerned parties to share anew the importance of achieving global peace, a prerequisite for undertaking business activities, through multifaceted discussions on ways to connect business and peace building. The forum is also designed to provide the business community with opportunities to review its role in attaining a nuclear-free peaceful world and explore ways to make specific contributions to achieving this goal.

International society/economy and contribution of business to peace in wake of invasion of Ukraine

Mr. Takeshi Niinami, President and Representative Director of Suntory Holdings Limited, a leader in the Japanese business community, is scheduled to speak at the opening and closing ceremonies!

Forum Overview

１．Date: April 20 (Thu), 2023 13:00-17:15

２．Organization: Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe)

３．Venue: Hilton Hiroshima　(11-12 Fujimicho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima）

　　Online: We will send more information later to participants

４．Deadline to apply: April 17(Mon), 2023, 5 p.m. (JST)　 Application period has ended.

Program

13:00- Opening

13:05- Keynote Speech by Mr. Serhii Plokhy
“21st century challenges posed by the war in Ukraine – nuclear, cyber, economic security, information, and democracy”

14:15- Session 1
“The importance of information for peace and the role of information companies”

15:35 Session 2
“ How to tackle the weaponization of economics (energy, food, etc.) ”

13:05- Keynote Speech

The Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy will examine the historical background of the invasion of Ukraine and its wide-ranging impacts on international society, including business. He will also address the need for states, business, and civil society to work hand in hand against forces that seek to ‘weaponise’ information, energy, etc., to undermine peace and stability.

Keynote Speech Summary →

14:15- Session 1 　“The importance of information for peace and the role of information companies”

Enterprises involved in information, be they IT platforms, mass media companies, or telecommunications providers, are responsible, in their respective capacities, for maintaining and improving the health of the information space. In this session, the roles that the various types of information company should play and the ways that they can contribute to peace will be discussed from this perspective.

Session 1 Summary →

15:35- Session ２　 “How to tackle the weaponization of economics (energy, food, etc.)”

To avoid the weaknesses caused by economic interdependence, countries have made conspicuous efforts to establish economic blocks through trade restrictions, bring home production from abroad, and otherwise boost self-sufficiency in various ways. Is it the case that private-sector companies have no choice but to passively adapt to these heightened geopolitical risks and tighter regulations? Or is there a positive role that they can play in conflict prevention and tension reduction?