Japan Joint Committee of Co-operative (JJC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office for Japan co-organized a public seminar under the theme "Co-operative Activities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” on September 7, 2017 in Tokyo. The seminar was supported by Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on ILO Activities/Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on Cooperative Promotion and Research.

Ms. Simel ESIM the Head of the Cooperative Unit, ILO in Geneva took advantage of her visit to Japan to attend the ILO/JCCU study tour of African Cooperative Leaders that took place from August 28th to September 6th, to attend the seminar as the main speaker.

The seminar was participated by approximately 140 people, including co-op stakeholders, academicians and the media. Following the opening remarks by Mr. KAWASAKI Jiro, President, Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on ILO Activities and Mr. YAMADA Toshio Representatives, Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on Cooperatives Promotion and Research, Ms. ESIM gave a presentation on ILO’s cooperative activities and SDGs. In the presentation she mentioned that cooperatives are recognized as one of the major stakeholders expected to keep advancing activities towards the achievement of the goals of SDGs set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

There were reports on various cooperatives' efforts regarding their role in economic, social and environmental aspects as well as providing examples on the contributions of cooperatives to achieve the SDGs. Furthermore, participant to the "High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development" held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA in July 2017 gave report. In the report it was pointed out that much as it is important for cooperatives to promote cooperation among cooperatives, it is also important to cooperate with civil sectors.

There was time for Q&A and participants interacted with the speakers and passed on their comments.

JCCU will continue to work towards the achievement of SDGs, in cooperation with ILO and other cooperatives.