Japan Welcomes G20 Delegations,US,China Residences Apart

June 26,2019

Nine Japanese cities welcomed Wednesday the ministerial meetings of the G20 summit, ahead of the meetings of the presidents and heads of state.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 8,2017 US President Donald Trump (L) gestures next to China's President Xi Jinping during a business leaders event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. - US President Donald Trump said June 18, 2019 he had a positive phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and that they will hold an "extended meeting" next week at the G20 summit. Trump's tweet set a more upbeat tone for his talks with Xi at the summit in Japan after growing questions over whether the world's two leading economies will be able to resolve their differences and end a huge trade war."Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting," Trump said. (Photo by Nicolas ASFOURI / AFP)

US President Donald Trump and his accompanying delegation will stay in a hotel away from the hotel of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his delegation.

Japan gave schools a four-day leave because of the G-20 summit and the entrances-exit permissions were only allowed to Osaka residents, so that foreigners cannot enter the summit areas.

Four-day leave for Japanese schools ahead of G20 summit, entry-exit permissions were given in Osaka.

Osaka is on high alert amid rising security concerns 48 hours before the G20 summit scheduled to be held at Intex Osaka from June 28 to 29.

“A number of delegations had already arrived in hotels. The delegations include Russia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, South Africa and Saudi Arabia,” said an informed source participating in the summit.

The source added that the summit will be held at Intex Osaka, a main conference hall.

The world leaders who are participating in the event will stay at the Hyatt Regency, Royal Regal, Marriott and Westin Osaka Hotels.

Osaka is one of the economic basis of Japan with a population of 2.72 million people and a gross domestic product of approximately 20,265.8 billion yen.

A meeting of tourism ministers will be held in the international tourist city of Kuchan in Hokkaido, whose population reach 16,000 people.

The countries taking in the meeting are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Korea, South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In addition to Egypt, head of states and representatives of international organizations will also partake in the summit.

The recent G20 summits focused not only on macroeconomics and trade, but also on a wide range of international issues that have a huge impact on the global economy, such as development, climate change, energy, health, counter-terrorism, migration and refugees.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe said that the summit will host relevant ministerial meetings starting with the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Fukuoka; a meeting of agriculture ministers in Niigata; a ministerial meeting on trade and the digital economy in Tsukuba, Ibaraki; a ministerial meeting on global energy and the international environment for sustainable development in Karuizawa, Nagano; a meeting of Ministers of Labor and Employment in Matsuyama, Ehime; a meeting of ministers of health in Okayama; a meeting of ministers of tourism in Kuchan, Hokkaido, and Foreign Ministers in Nagoya Aichi.

Furthermore, a cooking competition will be held on Awaji Island on the sidelines of G20 summit, the world archaeological forum and the first world chef’s Summit. They will focus on sustainable development goals and the food security problem around the world.

The opening ceremony on June 25 was attended by Beijing Institute Director Dong Fang and of Eatology founder Liu Guangwei, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Wu Hongbo, former Foreign Minister of Japan Masahiko Kōmura, former Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hiroyuki Somatsu, in addition to guests, group of experts and chefs from different countries around the world.

Liu introduced his book that extensively explores topics related to the goals of sustainable development proclaimed by the United Nations, saying: “Food security is an important issue for 7.6 billion people in the world, it should be viewed as a holistic approach, and shifting focus to eating will not only address food-related issues but will also address our health.”

Sharmila Nisodan, Director of Education Project in VM Technologies, based in Hyderabad representing India, tackled, in her speech, development goals and sustainable and food systems in the ongoing Summit.

Nisodan, who is also a professional in hospitality, educator and trainer, spoke about India, rapid urbanization and its impact on the dietary habits of Indians leading to consumption of processed foods in deviation from the original traditional and nutritious eating habits.

She focused on the third day of the forum on the basis of her book “Guide to the Development of Women and Children” on Indian government initiatives, both central and local government and NITI Aayog, in addition to the role of Aanganwadis in encouraging rural women to health and nutrition. Her book addresses most of the United Nations objectives on sustainable development goals.

She said, “These rural women-based committees are being used to educate rural women on health, nutrition, immunization and prevention of rural Indian hunger.”

Translated by: Ahmed El-Asaasy

Article reprinted: Sada El balad English（SEE）