Governor’s Message
Hidehiko Yuzaki
Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima, the first victim target of an atomic bomb in human history, shows how tragic the outcome would be if nuclear weapons were to be used, while the present-day Hiroshima demonstrates that it is possible to recover from such devastation and develop if there is a firm foundation of peace.
In this context, we believe the primary mission of Hiroshima is to contribute to global peace. Our efforts to achieve this mission are focused on creating an environment where companies, NGOs and various other entities can play their expected roles and perform business activities peacefully and safely around the world. The eventual goal is to establish a system to support activities contributing to peace in a sustainable manner.
Concurrently with our efforts, “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held in 2015. The agenda pursues the strengthening of universal peace with greater freedom and includes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In response, Hiroshima Prefecture, which has been selected as one of the SDGs Future Cities by the Japanese Government, has been implementing efforts that accelerate the achievement of global peace through the SDGs. Such efforts include the organization of the World Business Conference for World Peace, with the aim of establishing a platform to promote efforts to achieve peace. The prefecture has also launched the SDG Business Start-up Program to form a Hiroshima-originated ecosystem to promote the participation of the business sector in an effort to achieve the SDGs.
The “SDGs and Business with an Eye on the Future” is a collection of particularly attractive examples of SDG business projects that are promoted by local companies. It has been prepared with the aim of introducing these projects to many people in order to promote the Start-up Program and build momentum for SDG business in Hiroshima. The ultimate goal is to contribute to world peace by promoting SDG business.
In preparing this collection of examples, students of universities in Hiroshima visited and interviewed companies to gather information. Hiroshima Prefecture is implementing various efforts to achieve world peace in line with the SDGs. Taking advantage of the symbolic significance of Hiroshima, the prefecture is establishing a system that helps raise interest among a wide variety of stakeholders both in and outside the prefecture, and encourages them to take proactive action to bring and maintain peace. Through these efforts, we hope to contribute to the stability and development of the economy of the world, including conflict regions and developing countries, achievement of the SDGs, and the regional revitalization of Hiroshima Prefecture.
In conclusion, let me express my sincere appreciation to the companies and students, the Environmental Partnership Office Chugoku of the Ministry of the Environment, and all others involved in preparing this collection.
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