Sub-Committee Activities

18 The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

Promoting Cooperative ProjectDevelopment within Northeast Asia

Sub-Committee Activities

1. NEAR Sub-Committees

A NEAR Sub-Committee, which is a subsidiary institute of the Working Committee, was organized tosupervise certain agendas proposed by the General Assembly. A Sub-Committee is convened with theWorking Committee s acceptance according to independent suggestions of member countries hopingto act as coordinators of activities relevant to specific industries and/or major agendas of NEAR. TheSub-Committees perform the most practical cooperative programs of NEAR. Since the Sub-Committee on Economy and Trade was established in 1998, 13 Sub-Committees havebeen created. Most meet every other year, but some hold annual meetings.As the background of organizing Sub-Committees and the ways of convening them are quite differentand a common aim has not been articulated, a President-level s Sub-Committee was held in 2011 forthe first time and an operating manual was prepared.More attention in selecting assignments and projects for promoting the work of Sub-Committees isrequired.

Sub-Committee Coordinator YearThe number ofholding Sub-Committees

Main Activity

Economy and TradeGyeongsangbuk-do Province,

South Korea 1998 9 Trade promotion, Trade consultation, Seminars

Environment Toyama Prefecture, Japan 1998 10 Research into driftage, Environment symposium

Disaster Prevention Hyogo Prefecture, Japan 1998 10 Improving disaster prevention

Cross-border Cooperation Irkutsk Region, Russia 2005 2 Building infrastructure of finance, transportation, and customs

Educational and Cultural Exchange

Shimane Prefecture, Japan 2007 3 Nurturing human resources and Vitalizing cultural exchange

Science and Technology Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea 2007 3 Exchanging technology

Tourism Henan province, China 2008 2 Tourism exhibition and promotion, cooperation forum

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Shandong Province, China 2008 2 The use of marine resources

Mineral Resources Development & Coordination

Magadan Region, Russia 2010 2 Mining and manufacturing

mineral resources

Energy & Climate ChangeDaegu Metropolitan City,

South Korea 2010 1 Cooperation system for energy and climate change

Women and Children Dornod Province, Mongolia 2010 1 Information sharing on women and children

Life and Medical IndustryChungcheongbuk-do Province,

South Korea 2011 Exchange and cooperation of medical industry

Agriculture Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea 2011 Information and technology sharing on agriculture

Annual Report 2012 19Sub-Committee Activities

I thank Hyogo Prefecture for organizing this event through which I was able to gain a

deeper understanding about disaster prevention and reduction measures. It was

especially insightful to know we can really reduce the damage caused by

earthquakes depending on our self-help and mutual aid.

Xiao Rongcheng, Red Cross Society of Changsha, Human Province (China)

During this Sub-Committee, our discussion was focused on the disaster

reduction efforts after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (1995) and the Great

East Japan Earthquake (2011). It was especially meaningful to participate in the

simulation drills at the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution

and Hyogo Prefectural Emergency Management and Training Center.

I would like to once again extend condolences to the affected families and thank

Japanese authorities for sharing their experiences and helping us learn valuable

lessons.

Recently, South Korea has had huge human and property losses from flooding

and landslides caused by constant heavy rains. My visit to Hyogo confirmed the

importance of the early establishment of preventive and relief measures by

disaster management authorities in the most vulnerable areas. Also important

is to enhance the awareness of local citizens through education, information

sharing, and emergency drills. It is we who should protect the safety of me, my

family and my region.

Kim Hong-yeon, Disaster Management Division, Daegu Metropolitan City (South Korea)

Participants from 4 countries visited Hyogo Anti-Disaster Center and performing CPR on a dummy

2. Sub-Committees held in 2012

The 10th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention heldThe Sub-Committee was held from 12-15 March in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Thirty-threeattendees participated, including sixteen members from five countries.After attending a lecture on the disaster prevention strategy of Hyogo at the Hyogo Anti-Disaster Center,attendees made a study-visit to the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution, Kobe FireDepartment, and E-Defense Fire (among many other facilities) to investigate developed systems forimmediate response to disaster and to internalize the importance of disaster management plans.

20 The Association of North East Asia Regional GovernmentsSub-Committee Activities

The 3rd Sub-Committee on Educational & Cultural Exchange heldThe Sub-Committee was held in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, from 3-8 August. The Sub-Committee meeting was attended by more than 30 people from 7 organizations across 4countries, and it was organized under thetheme of Building Network for EnhancingMutual Understanding and Cooperationbetween the young people of Northeast Asiancountries . Additionally, attendees had a meaningful time,enhancing mutual understanding anddeepening cultural exchanges with the localsthrough various programs such as home-stays, experiences of traditional culture, anddiscussions about environmental issues.

Sharing information on natural resources among NEAR member regions

Encouraging the representatives of member regions mining industries to participate in Sub-Committees

Supporting a cooperative system between private and public organizations

Announcing the results of Sub-Committee meetings to member regions

Supporting the organization of the 3rd Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development & Coordination

Resolutions

The 2nd Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development & Coordination heldThe Sub-Committee was held from 1-3 August in the Magadan Region, Russian Federation, with 20attendees from 4 organizations across 3 countries. Various topics were discussed under the threeguiding themes: 1) laws and regulations for mineral resources exploration and investment for relatedindustries; 2) locations and potential of mineral reserves; and 3) establishing partnerships amongrepresentatives of mining companies.Russian attendees in this Sub-Committee discussed the respective potentials of the oil, gas, and coalmining industries: boasting attractiveness for investors, but also requiring huge capital investments inthe area of mining useful minerals in Republic of Sakha and Magadan. The Russian attendees likewisediscussed the future of precious metals in the Republics of Sakha and Magadan. The attendees fromamong NEAR members were interested in the fact that the Republics of Sakha and Magadan areattractive places to invest and that mining useful minerals greatly contributes to GNP. The membersreached a consensus supporting the purpose of the long-term role of the Sub-Committee.

Annual Report 2012 21Sub-Committee Activities

The 2nd NEAR Sub-Committe on Cross-Border Cooperation heldThe Sub-Committee was held under the theme of Problems and Solutions of Cross-Border Cooperationfrom 7-9 November in Irkutsk, Russia, with 44 attendees from 14 organizations across 4 countires.Attendees discussed the water quality of the river flowing between Zabaikal and the border of Mongolia withinChina and the situation with respect to Irkutsk and Khabarovsk s current cross-border cooperation withNEAR member regions. Information on Our common house, Altai, put forth by the international concillationcommittee of the Altai region was also one of the topics of conversation. In addition, Attendees made suggestions regarding improving mutual trade among regional governments incross-border territories and enhancing local PR efforts and exhibition activities. Moreover, mutualcooperative activities with respect to the border checkpoint between Russia-Mongolia-China were discussed,with an emphasis on 24-hour surveillance. Lastly, attendees discussed the establishment of an internationalfree trade zone in Altanbulag-kyakhta, on the border of Mongolia-Russia.

Keynote Speech (Vice Chairman Lee Hoe-sung of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)- Special Report of the United Nation s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to Promote Adaptation to Climate

Change through Managing Extreme Climate Risk and Natural Disaster Risk (2011)Presentation of South Korea- Director Ahn Chung-hwan of Green Growth Korea Green Growth: The Virtuous Circle of Environment and Economy- Chairman Kim Jong-dal of International Solar Cities Congress Green Growth and the Daegu Solar City- Dr. Nam Kwang-hyun of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Development Institute Daegu City s Best Practices in Dealing with Climate

Change- Manager Park Mooh-hee of Daeseong Clean Energy Marketability of Photovoltaic Power Generation and Heating

TechnologyPresentation of Foreign Countries Participants (China, Mongolia, Russia)- Head Song Limin of the Environment Monitoring Center, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China : The Government s Related Policy

and Measures Responding to Climate Change with Alternative Energy- Information Service Chief Oyuntsetseg of the Weather Service, Tuv Province, Mongolia : Adaptation to Climate Change

and Action Plan and the Practical Use of Renewable Energy- Vice President Rotanova Irina of Russia Altai National University : Climate Change in Altai, Research on the Natural,

Social, and Economic System and the Adaptation Problem

Presentation Contents

The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy & Climate Change heldThe Sub-Committee was held in the EXCO, Daegu, South Korea, from 9-11 October. Forty-oneattendees from nineteen organizations across four countries participated. The Sub-Committee wasorganized around the theme of Energy and Climate Change Cooperation among NEAR members.This meeting was a meaningful vehicle to share the results that Daegu City has achieved as a Solarcity and to seek the common resolution of various issues faced by each regional government, thusstrengthening the cooperation and mutual assistance among NEAR members.

22 The Association of North East Asia Regional GovernmentsSub-Committee Activities

Suggestions regarding mutual trade, presentations on local promotion, and the enhancement of exhibition

activities in Russia and in neighboring regional government jurisdictions

Suggestion of a common project: discussion of the border checkpoint between Russia-Mongolia and mutual

agreement on the operation of the Russia-China border checkpoint, including 24-hour surveillance

Crackdown on border infractions and the promotion of business to war against crime to continue

cooperative relations with NEAR

Preparation of the Altanbulag-Kyakhta International Free Trade Zone Plan within NEAR member regions

Suggestion regarding giving opinions to regional governments on the Russian meat import quota system in

neighboring countries, including China and Mongolia

Establishment of a common organization for exchanging information between working participants to

strengthen cooperation and relationships within the field of trade and economy

Preparation of a common website for exchanging information on investment projects, foreign trade

activities, legislative proposals, and international conferences (possible to use the NEAR site)

Joint efforts to improve water quality in the joint border area as part of nature and environment protection

cooperation

NEAR Working Committee and Sub-Committee s experience sharing with International Coordinating

Committee- Our Common Home- Altai ( International Association - Siberian Agreement )

The Result of the Conference

3. 2013 Activity Plans of Sub-Committees

Ten Sub-Committees, including Disaster Prevention, Women and Children, Educational and CulturalExchange, Environment and Tourism, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Economy and Trade, and Scienceand Technology, will be held in 2013. Notably, the Sub-Committee on Life and the Medical industrysponsored by Chungcheongbuk-do, Province, South Korea and the Sub-Committee on Agriculturesponsored by Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea will hold their first-ever meetings since theirapproval to establishment.Bond of sympathy should be enhanced by selecting topics that can further substantial achievements forthe sustainable management and encouraging member regions participation in Sub-Committees. Inaddition, common projects across Sub-Committees should be developed.In terms of management type, if necessary, if a specific theme is to be selected for a Sub-Committeebeyond the scope possible for the given coordinator, the methods to make a tour of member countriesthat are interested in the theme and hold Sub-Committees should be seriously considered.