Commemorative symposium and ceremony for
the new International EMECS Center
April 27, 2000 Yumebutai International Conference Hall on the island of Awaji, Hyogo Japan

  
  On April 1, 2 0 0 0, a commemorative symposium and ceremonywere held to commemorate the establishment of the new International EMECS Center approval for which had been granted by the Prime Minister of Japan.
  The event was held at the Yumebutai International Conference Hall on the island of Awaji where the "Japan Flora 2 0 0 0" International Gardening and Landscaping Exhibition is currently attracting large crowds of visitors.
  The ceremony began with words of welcome from Toshitami Kaihara governor of Hyogo Prefecture and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Center Governor Kaihara traced the history of the International EMECS Center and discussed its future objectives.
  Following Governor Kaihara's address a message of congratulations from the State Minister of the Environment Agency was read by Hiroshi Yoshida Councillor Director General's Secretariat of the Environment Agency of Japan.
  At the commemorative symposium Toshiyuki Hirano professor emeritus of Tokyo University gave a speech entitled "Using and Preserving the Oceans" in which he discussed future efforts topreserve marine environments .
 

* Congratulatory Message from the State Ministerof the Environment Agency of Japan [HTML]
* Opening Address [HTML]
* "Using and Preserving the Oceans" Toshiyuki Hirano [HTML]