Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam to attend 3rd UN World Conference in Japan

SINGAPORE - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam will attend the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3UNWCDRR) in Japan from March 13 to 17, said the MFA in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Shanmugam will deliver a statement for Singapore at the 3UNWCDRR Plenary Session in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. He will aslo officiate the opening ceremony of the Multi-Purpose Community Hall in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

Additionally, Mr Shanmugam will attend a 3UNWCDRR side event called, "Resilience for Tomorrow: Creating an Inclusive City out of Devastation" that will be held at the Rikuzentakata Muli-Purpose Community Hall.

This newly-completed Multi-Purpose Community Hall in Rikuzentakata represents Singapore's largest and final reconstruction project in the Tohoku region.

The Singapore Government had contributed $500,000 to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake that took place on March 11, 2011. The amount had been contributed as seed money for a broader nationwide donation drive.

The SRC had eventually raised $35.7 million in addition to supporting immediate relief as well as recovery efforts. SRC had also earmarked contributions to build four projects in affected regions.

As part of his visit, Mr Shanmugam will also attend bilateral meetings with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi, Democratic Party of Japan President Katsuya Okada and also ranking Rikuzentakata City officials.

Mr Shanmugam will be accompanied officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore civil Defence Force as well as the Singapore Red Cross.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg