The Asashi Shimbun will hold Conference for Environmental Security on June 13th and 14th as one of the commemorative events of the 130th anniversary of the foundation. The Conference, which will be held ahead of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, will discuss the main theme "Global Warming" and send messages to the world leaders.

The session on 13th will discuss "Environmental Security-A Message for the G8 Leaders" with the attendance of foreign and domestic leaders, including Margaret Beckett, former UK Foreign Secretary, who has long emphasized the importance of "Climate Security", Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Senior Advisor of Toyota Motor Corporation, who is leading the world car industry with hybrid car. Connie Hedegaard,　Minister of Climate and Energy, Denmark, who will play a central role in the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009, COP15 to be held in Copenhagen at the end of next year, will be a keynote speaker..

In the panel discussion, Professor Mohan Munasinghe, Vice Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation and others will discuss the way towards coexistence of environmental conservation and economic growth.

On the 14th session, experts will exchange views on three subjects "The New Challenge for Low-carbon Society", "The Future of Biodiversity" and "Water Issues in Asia" on the general theme "The Vanguard of Eco Front-Runners".

We would like to deepen discussion on how each of us is required to protect our environment.