Kansai SDGs Platform

Background

In response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2015, the Kansai SDGs Platform was established as a body designed to bring together actors from a wide spectrum in Kansai including the private sector, civil society, NPOs, NGOs, universities and research institutions, local administration and government agencies.

Aiming to implement the actions for SDGs, the Japanese government strongly promotes the idea of harnessing regional engagement throughout Japan so that it could also accelerate vitalization of local economy. SDGs cannot be achieved without private sector technology, knowledge and funding, and the private sector is expected to greatly contribute to solving global issues. In the Kansai region, actors from a wide spectrum including local administration, private enterprises, civil society, as well as universities and research institutions possess extensive technical know-how and experience in different areas, especially water management, health care, disaster prevention, and manufacturing. This has the potential to benefit not only our own country but also contribute to achieving SDGs in developing countries.

Linking the wide-ranging experience and knowledge of various actors to create new initiatives for building a sustainable society and to drive innovation is the concept behind the formation of the Kansai SDGs Platform.

The Kansai SDGs Platform is expected to further boost future-oriented efforts in the Kansai region, a fertile ground for creating new things while preserving valuable traditions as well. Together with you all, we intend to embark on bold new initiatives backed up by a wealth of experience and tradition.

Objectives

The Kansai SDGs Platform has two major objectives: (1) Widely publicize the concept of SDGs as well as the fact that engaging with SDGs is vitally important for the private sector, civil society, NPO/NGOs, universities and research institutions, local administration and government agencies, and all the people in the Kansai region, and (2) Foster networking and collaboration among all stakeholders in order to accelerate activities in the Kansai region that aim to build a sustainable society and economic activities that generate high social benefits.

So far, it cannot be said that SDGs are well known in Kansai.
On the other hand, these SDGs have been agreed on internationally and are relevant for all countries which of course includes Japan. Engaging with SDGs only on the international level is not enough. Domestic engagement including in the Kansai region is also an important aspect.

Consequently, the primary aim of the Kansai SDGs Platform for the near future will be to widely publicize the importance of the SDGs in Kansai and to increase awareness and understanding of this topic. The second major aim is to create networking and collaboration opportunities for actors from many different sectors, in order to stimulate new ideas and initiatives for achieving SDGs.

Activities

The Kansai SDGs Platform pursues the following activities.

1	Organize seminars and other events related to SDGs “Core Activities”: Hold about two core events (such as symposiums) per year, organize workshops (i.e. focus group discussion on specific goals)
2	Cooperate with SDGs related events held by the Platform member organizations “Collaboration Activities”: Support events held by the Platform member organizations (publicize events, use logos and materials of the Platform for dissemination, etc.)
3	Publicize SDGs related activities by the Platform member organizations “Collaboration Activities”: Use the Kansai SDGs Platform website and SNS channels to spread information about activities of the Platform member organizations
4	Other activities for achieving the aims of the platform “Core Activities”: Establish the website and SNS account of the Kansai SDGs Platform and use them to disseminate information Promote the SDGs logos (including support for the Platform member organizations wishing to use the logos), explore the feasibility of creating an original logo and banner of the Platform Provide information to the media

Declaration

Operation

1.Steering Committee

[ In no particular order ]

Position	Organization	Name
Chairman	Kansai Economic Federation	Mr. Takeshi INOUE Director, General Manager, International Affairs Department
member	Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry	Mr. Takayoshi NEGORO Director, International Division
member	Kansai Association of Corporate Executives	Mr. Mitsuaki KIZU Manager, Planning & Research Department
member	Kansai Osaka 21st Century Association	Mr. Akinori KIMURA Department Manager
member	The Citizens Environmental Foundation	Mr. Ikuo SUGIMOTO President
member	Kansai NGO Council	Ms. Noriko ATSUTA Vice President
member	Osaka University	Dr. Genta KAWAHARA Executive Vice President
member	Kobe University	Dr. Takashi　KITA Executive Vice President
member	The Ritsumeikan Trust	Dr. Norihisa YAMASHITA Executive Trustee
member	Union of Kansai Governments	Mr. Yoshihiro YAMASHITA Director General

2.Adviser

• Mr. Toshizo IDO President, Union of Kansai Governments
• Mr. Masayuki MATSUSHITA, Vice Chairman, Kansai Economic Federation
• Mr. Minoru FURUKAWA Vice Chairman Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr. Hiroyuki IKEDA Deputy Chairman Kansai Keizai Doyukai
• Mr. Yoshitane HORII President Kansai Osaka 21st Century Association

3.Secretariat

• Kansai International Center, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Kansai)
• Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Headquarter Secretariat, Union of Kansai Government

Guideline

Section 1 General Rules

Article 1 Names

The name of the Association is Kansai SDGs Platform (KSP).

Article 2 Objectives

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been set forth as goals for solving common issues facing human communities in areas such as poverty, human rights, the environment and peace. The Association’s objectives are (a) widespread promotion of the idea that work on SDGs is important for private-sector Kansai companies, community residents, NPOs, NGOs, universities, research institutes, local governments, national government organizations and all individuals, and (b) teamwork and partnership with various stakeholders to step up activities aimed at creating a sustainable community in Kansai, and to step up economic activities producing high added value for the community.

Article 3 Activities

To attain the objectives of the preceding article, the Association engages in the following activities:

• Holding SDG-related events such as seminars
• Collaborating on SDG-related events held by participating organizations
• Publicizing and disseminating the SDG assistance activities of participating organizations
• Other activities needed to attain the Association’s objectives

Section 2 Constituents

Article 4 Constituent Types

The Association’s constituents support the Association’s objectives and comply with the provisions of the Management Guidelines. The Association is composed of the following types of constituents:

• Association Member: An organization such as an economic organization, private-sector company, NPO, NGO, university, research institute or government organization that supports the Association’s objectives and actively takes part in projects
• Observer: A diplomatic mission or other entity specially recommended by the Steering Committee that supports the Association’s objectives and provides backing or assistance

Article 5 Joining the Association

An organization wishing to join the Association must submit the specified membership application form.

New membership is approved by decision of the Steering Committee.

Article 6 Joining Fees, Dues

No joining fees or dues are collected.

Article 7 Leaving the Association, Expulsion

Before leaving the Association, Association Members must submit a written statement of their intention to leave.

Association Members that defame the Association, engage in acts contrary to the Association’s objectives, or cause significant damage to the Association’s reputation can be expelled from the Association by decision of the Steering Committee.

Association Members that cease to exist through disbanding or the like will be considered to have left the Association.

Section 3 Association Faculties

Article 8 Association Faculties

The Association contains the following faculties:

• General Meeting
• Steering Committee
• Advisors

Article 9 General Meeting

The General Meeting is the Association’s supreme decision-making body, and is composed of Association Members.

The General Meeting is held in principle once per year to make decisions on the following items of business:

• Approving administrative policies and activity plans
• Appointment/removal of Steering Committee Members and Advisors
• Amending the Management Guidelines
• Disbanding
• Other important business related to Association decision-making

The Steering Committee Chairman convenes the General Meeting, providing advance notice of the meeting date, time, place, agenda items and other particulars before the meeting date. In the cases below, the Steering Committee Chairman can also convene an extraordinary General Meeting within 30 days for a specified reason.

• When at least one-third of the Association Members have demanded a meeting for a specified reason
• When demanded by decision of the Steering Committee

Article 10 Quorum for General Meeting

General Meeting is in quorum when at least one-half of the Association Members are in attendance.

Association Members unable to attend the General Meeting can delegate General Meeting business to the Chairman by creating a letter of proxy.

Letters of proxy are counted when determining whether General Meeting is in quorum.

Article 11 General Meeting Votes

Votes of the General Meeting are passed by a strict majority of the Association Members in attendance. Tie votes are decided by the Chairman. Each Association Member has one vote. Observers do not have a vote.

Article 12 General Meeting Chairman and Recorder

The Chairman of the General Meeting is the Steering Committee Chairman or an entity appointed by the Steering Committee Chairman.

The Recorder is selected from among the Association Members in attendance at each General Meeting.

Article 13 Steering Committee

The Steering Committee represents the Association Members and makes decisions on the following items of business required for the administration of the Association:

• Creating administrative policy proposals and activity plans
• Business related to execution of Association projects
• Subcommittee approval
• Approving new membership/expulsion
• Other business needed for the administration of the Association

Article 14 Steering Committee Composition

The Steering Committee is composed of no more than 10 Steering Committee Members (‘Committee Members’) selected from among the Association Members.

The Steering Committee has a Steering Committee Chairman. A Deputy Steering Committee Chairman can also be appointed if needed.

The Chairman is selected by the Committee from among the Committee Members. The Chairman represents the Committee and oversees its business. The Deputy Chairman assists the Chairman, and acts on behalf of the Chairman in his/her absence.

The Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Committee Members each serve for a term of 2 years, but may be reappointed.

If a Committee Member needs to be replaced midterm, the new Committee Member is approved by the Committee as recommended by the outgoing Committee Member. The new Committee Member serves for the remainder of the outgoing Committee Member’s term.

Article 15 Steering Committee Meetings

Meetings of the Steering Committee are convened by the Chairman and are in quorum when at least two-thirds of the Committee Members are in attendance.

Committee Members unable to attend Committee meetings can delegate business to the Chairman by creating a letter of proxy.

Letters of proxy are counted when determining whether Committee meetings are in quorum.

Committee meetings can be held in written or other forms at the suggestion of the Chairman.

Participation in Committee meetings by entities other than Committee Members can be demanded as required by the agenda.

Article 16 Steering Committee Votes

Votes of the Steering Committee are passed by a strict majority of the Committee Members in attendance. Tie votes are decided by the Chairman.

Article 17 Advisors

Advisors draw on a wide range of knowledge to provide advice related to the administration of the Association.

Advisor appointments are made at the request of the Steering Committee and approved by the General Meeting.

Advisors serve for a term of 2 years, but may be reappointed.

Section 4 Subcommittees and Secretariat

Article 18 Subcommittees

The Association can create Subcommittees if needed.

Subcommittees are composed of Association Members, Observers and other Steering Committee-approved entities who each take part directly in projects done to achieve the objectives of the Association.

Association Members wishing to create a Subcommittee must obtain the approval of the Steering Committee in advance. The activities of Subcommittees must be reported to the Steering Committee as needed.

Article 19 Secretariat

The Association has a Secretariat.

The Association’s Secretariat is in the Japan International Cooperation Agency Kansai International Center (located at 1-5-2 Wakinohama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan).

Offices that act as the Association’s Co-Secretariat are the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (a regional branch organization of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and the Headquarter Secretariat of the Union of Kansai Governments.

Supplementary Provision

The Management Guidelines have been effective since the date of the Inaugural Meeting of the Association.

Proponents of Establishment

[ Alphabetical order ]

• AIG General Insurance Company, Ltd.
• Citizens Environmental Foundation
• Community Road Empowerment
• DAIKIN INDUSTRIES,LTD
• Dari K Co., Ltd.
• Doshisha University Graduate School of Global Studies
• Fukunaga Engineering Co., Ltd.
• GES Co.,Ltd.
• Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC)
• GMB CORPORATION
• Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shinshu-Kan) KYOTO UNIVERSITY
• Harima Ocean Farm LTD
• HIKARI FURNITURE Co.,Ltd.
• Himeji Flower Auction Co.,LTD
• HORIBA, Ltd.
• HUTAN Group
• Hyogo Prefecture
• IDEA Consultants, Inc.
• Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories
• Japan International Food for the Hungry
• JAPAN MEN'S BEAUTY ASSOCIATION
• JAPAN OVERSEAS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION Kinki Branch
• Japan Overseas Cooperative Association, Nara
• JOCV Osaka almni. Of ex-volunteers
• KANPOU INC.
• Kansai Association of Corporate Executives
• Kansai Economic Federation
• Kansai NGO Council
• Kansai NPO Alliance
• KANSAI PRODUCTIVITY CENTER
• KANSAI・OSAKA 21st Century Association
• Kansai University
• Kobe City
• Kobe Institute of Computing
• Kobe International Center for Cooperation and Communication:KIC
• Kobe University
• KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd.
• Kumon Institute of Education Co., Ltd.
• KWANSEI GAKUIN UNIVERSITY
• Kyoto City
• KYOTO COMPARATIVE LAW CENTER
• Kyoto Overseas Co-operative Association
• Kyoto University
• Mandam Corporation
• Marubeni Corporation
• Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
• Momoyama Gakuin University
• Murano Mirai
• NAKAYAMA STEEL WORKS, LTD.
• NISHIZAWA LIMITED
• Nitta Corporation
• Office Anniversary Inc.
• Organization for Small & Medium Enterprise and Regional Innovation, Japan
• Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Osaka City Shinkin Bank
• OSAKA NPO CENTER
• OSAKA PREFECTURE UNIVERSITY
• Osaka University
• Osaka Voluntary Action Center
• PACIFIC RESOURCE EXCHANGE CENTER
• POLY-GLU SOCIAL BUSINESS CO.,LTD
• Proassist Ltd.
• Radio FMYY
• Rengo Co., Ltd.
• Rotary Club of Osaka
• SAKA NO TOCHU Co., Ltd.
• Sankyo-Seiki Co., Ltd.
• Saraya Co., Ltd.
• Sekisui House, Ltd.
• Shiga Daihatsu Motor Sales Co, Ltd
• Shiga Prefecture
• SHINKOSHUPPANSHA KEIRINKAN Co.ltd.
• SYSMEX CORPORATION
• Taiyo Manufacturing Co.,Ltd.
• TAKARA BELMONT Corp.
• TENMA LAW OFFICE.
• The Japan Foundation
• The Osaka Citizen Plaza JOCV
• TREE INC.
• Union of Kansai Governments
• Wadaman Science Co.,Ltd.
• Wakayama Overseas Cooperative Association
• YOSHIMOTO KOGYO CO.,LTD.
• Others (17 organizations)