Hiroshima Hosts Senior Officials
The first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting of 2010 will take place in Hiroshima, Japan.
Eternally distinguished as the locus of the first atomic bombing in the history of mankind, Hiroshima is indelibly marked - but not scarred. Transforming its fate, the small coastal city has come to be recognised as a monument to peace.
Mr. Masatoshi Nosaka, Supervisor, APEC Affairs Division, The City of Hiroshima, describes Hiroshima as "blessed" and draws attention to natural phenomena, from the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea to the Chugoku Mountains, a canvas reflecting the peculiar beauty of each of the four seasons. Six rivers flow through the city, imbuing upon its inhabitants a sense of calm and gentle splendour.
Two of its tourist attractions have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Atomic Bomb Dome stands as a symbol of dedication to peace and the Itsukushima Shrine is situated on Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic places in all of Japan.
Both land and sea are sources of health and life, affording local dishes based on natural, quality ingredients: fresh seafood, oysters, and the legendary okonomiyaki, the "Japanese pancake," cooked to perfection to the delight of diners and topped with a sweet and spicy sauce.
Consistently establishing new legacies, Hiroshima was the first non-capital city to host the Asian Games in 1994. In 1996 it had established itself as a top tourist destination with Lonely Planet declaring Hiroshima one of the world's most appealing cities - alongside the likes of Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Sarajevo and Vancouver.
Home to globally-renowned auto manufacturers such as the Mazda Motor Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hiroshima is also one of Japan's biggest economic hubs, boasting a consumer market of 1.17 million people and an effective trading zone that extends well into surrounding areas. There is no shortage of opportunity for companies based here.
In recent years, Hiroshima has hosted the G8 Speakers' Meeting and the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
In 2010, Hiroshima will host APEC and this, explains Mr. Nosaka, is no mere coincidence:
"A worldwide symbol of peace and hope, Hiroshima is a perfect location for the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting of 2010, an event dedicated to progress and peace in the international community."
Agenda items include balanced, inclusive and sustainable development for the entire region. "Everyone," says Mr. Nosaka, "must be mindful of the value of peace."
APEC Secretariat Executive Director, Ambassador Muhamad Noor meets with the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Mr. Matsuzawa.