TCS

On December 4, 2023, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup paid a courtesy call to Mr. XU Jiaai, Vice Minister, Ministry of Emergency Management of China in Beijing.Secretary-General LEE appreciated the endeavors by the Ministry of Emergency Management of China, together with the latter’s counterparts in Japan and the ROK, to keep the consistence and regularity of the Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Disaster Management despite the fluctuation of the bilateral relations of the three countries and the difficulties brought by the pandemic, which showcases the three governments’ determination in jointly safeguarding the fundamental interests of the people. He reiterated TCS’ commitments to further facilitate the Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Disaster Management and its affiliated mechanisms, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the people of the region.Vice Minister XU briefed on the functions of the Ministry as well as China’s cooperation with Japan and the ROK on disaster risk reduction under various international cooperative schemes including UN SDGs, Trilateral Cooperation and relevant sub-regional arrangements. Speaking highly of TCS’ positive engagements in the Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Disaster Management including TCS’ leading role on the trilateral working-level meeting on disaster management and regular workshops among the National Disaster Reduction Center of China, Asian Disaster Reduction Center in Japan, and UNDRR OENA & GETI, he extended high expectations on a deepened cooperation between the two organizations.Both sides had view exchanges on the early convening of the next Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Disaster Management and an early resumption of the project of Table Top Exercise on Disaster Management.▲Vice Minister XU Jia-ai and Secretary General LEE Hee-sup

On December 4, 2023, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat Secretary-General LEE Heesup met with Mr. JIN Hai, Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources of China in Beijing.Secretary-General LEE briefed the outcomes of the just concluded Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting, highlighting the focused areas of Trilateral Cooperation in the near future including sustainable development. He reiterated TCS’ commitment to give full support to the Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Water Resources and its affiliated mechanisms, and work together with the Ministry of Water Resources of China for a full revitalization of the Trilateral Cooperation.Director-General JIN introduced the functions of the Ministry and its main international cooperative activities under such frameworks as World Water Forum, Asia Water Council, Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Water Resources and other sub-regional arrangements. He attached strong importance on Trilateral Cooperation and “Trilateral+X” cooperation, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the people of the region. Both sides agreed to keep close contact and work together for an early convening of the next Trilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Water Resources.

On December 3, 2023, the 16th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting was held in Beijing. Chaired by Vice Minister LEI Haichao of National Health Commission of China, the Meeting was attended by Vice Minister OSHIMA Kazuhiro of Ministry of Helath, Labor and Welfare of Japan, Vice Minister PARK Minsoo of Ministry of Health and Welfare of the ROK, WHO Acting Regional Director for the Western Pacific Zsuzsanna Jakab, and Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.In his remarks, Secretary General LEE spoke highly of the consistent and regular convening of the Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting over the past years, which showcases the determination and solidarity of China, Japan and the ROK in safeguarding the fundamental interests of the people. He reiterated TCS’ commitment to work with the three competent authorities to further promote information sharing and joint response to the common public health challenges including the risks of the novel pandemic.Under the theme “Work together for a healthier and safer future,” the Meeting recalled the progress of trilateral health cooperation, and had in-depth view exchanges and explored cooperation on the three countries’ practices and experiences related to the public health emergency preparedness during pandemics, the consolidation of the resilience of the primary health care system, the promotion of universal health coverage, and the improvement of elderly care services and measures for healthy aging.The Meeting endorsed the Joint Statement of the 16th Tripartite Health Ministries’ Meeting, and the three Vice Ministers signed the China-Japan-Korea Memorandum Of Understanding on Health Cooperation for the first time. The Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting was commenced in 2006. The next (17th) Meeting will be held in Japan in 2024.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivered remarks at the 16th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting▲Group Photo

From November 30th to December 1st, 2023, the 7th Global Symposium on Population Ageing and Low Fertility was held at the TCS Conference Hall. The Symposium was co-organized by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Statistics Korea (KOSTAT), and sponsored by Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang attended the event and delivered his congratulatory remarks, along with Mr. CHOI Yeonok, Deputy Commissioner of KOSTAT, and Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Director of Technical Division of UNFPA.In his remarks, DSG YAN introduced the current status and statistics regarding population ageing in China, Japan, and Korea, and further explained the endeavors made by the three countries to address decreasing working age population and discrimination towards aged people. He additionally illustrated the progress that the region has seen in the recent years, such as the development of innovative silver economy and social activity programs for the elderly.This year’s Symposium discussed the global challenge of preparing for an older population in the context of other megatrends. Each session contained several opening presentations by experts from the field, followed by interactive discussions among panelists and the audience. The two-day event concluded with the participants sharing essential takeaways and messages for policy makers.▲From left to right: Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang, Deputy Commissioner CHOI Yeonok, Director Julitta Onabanjo