10.00-10:15

Welcoming session:

Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General (Opening Remarks)

Representative of the Japanese Delegation (tbc)

Family photo

10-25-11:45 - Session 1

Global Economic Outlook (including Asian Economic Outlook)

Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General (Speech)

Global GDP growth in 2016 is projected to be no higher than in 2015, itself the slowest pace in the past five years. Forecasts have again been revised down in light of disappointing recent data. Growth is slowing in many emerging economies with a very modest recovery in advanced economies and low prices depressing commodity exporters. Trade and investment remain weak. Sluggish demand is leading to low inflation and inadequate wage and employment growth. Growth rates in the Emerging Asian economies remain relatively robust, though future risks remain, associated with the slowdown in China’s economy, financial stability and slowing rates of productivity growth. According to forecasts in the Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2016, annual GDP growth in the region should moderate slightly to 6.4% in 2016 and 6.2% on average over 2016-20.

Lunch with remarks by Motoo Hayashi, Japanese Minister for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

13.20-15:00 - Session 2

Gender  - Women as the driver of economic growth 

Catherine Candea, OECD Deputy Director for Public Affairs and Communications
Yumiko Murakami, Head of OECD Tokyo Centre

Gender equality is not only about ensuring a fair society, it makes good economic sense. On average across the OECD, if female labour force participation rates converged to that of men by 2030, GDP would increase by 12%. G20 countries have committed to reduce gender gaps in labour force participation rates by 25% by 2025. Progress in female educational attainment and increases in women’s employment are absolutely crucial for economic growth and for reducing income inequality, even more so in the context of ageing populations. However, significant disparities remain: women are less likely than men to work and more likely to work part-time; they remain severely under-represented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study and occupations; their representation in senior management positions is still far below par; and gender wage gaps persist, particularly at the top of the hierarchy. In many countries, tax and benefit systems still do not provide mothers and fathers with equal incentives to work, which can exacerbate existing gender inequalities. All these differences, accumulated throughout life, also lead to retirement income disparities. Gender equality amongst policy makers has been recognised as important for achieving progress in gender equality and for improving the quality and responsiveness of public policy and services. But while the proportion of female leaders in policy making is increasing, women still represent, on average, less than one-third of decision-making positions in all branches of power in OECD countries.

Coffee break

Disaster Risk Management

Rolf Alter, OECD Director for Public Governance and Territorial Development

This session will cover the challenges critical risks pose for OECD as well as non-OECD countries, the implications of increasing economic losses from disasters and how these pose particular challenges for regional growth recovery. How well governments manage disasters is a key test for the trust of citizens in government. Drawing on successful country practices to manage risks and invest in a sustainable future, the session will explain the work of the OECD High Level Risk Forum to foster exchanges among countries with the aim to improve their resilience.  

18.30-20.15

Reception hosted by the National Diet of Japan 

09.15-11.30 - Session 4

Regional Challenges - a view from Asia

Mario Pezzini, Director of OECD Development Centre
Randall Jones, Head of Japan/Korea Desk, Economics Department, OECD

The growth of global value chains (GVCs) has increased the interconnectedness of economies. We understand that emerging economies in Southeast Asia play a pivotal role in the global economy. This session will provide you with the latest OECD analysis on the regional economy and on the key challenges it faces in light of regional integration. 

International trade, which used to be a leading driver of economic growth, is now lagging behind, as world trade growth slowed down to around 2% in 2015. Two decades prior to the 2008 crisis, world trade growth annually registered at 7%. Many factors are at play – both cyclical and structural – but their effects are posing risks to the emerging and developing economies in Asia, where trade growth is currently relatively robust. Regional free trade agreements, notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, will also influence trade in Asia, and will certainly have implications for the global value chains of specific industries, including in those countries not belonging to the new regional agreements. Strengthening regional ties by 2025 is one of Asia’s most important agendas. This can be made more effective by building on important and positive achievements through ASEAN, ASEAN+3 and ASEAN+6 and making greater efforts to improve co-ordination between regional and sub-regional initiatives and national agendas, reduce disparities in the region, move towards a “Global ASEAN” and strengthen monitoring capacity. Additionally, addressing issues of green growth, renewable energy and private sector development will be particularly important to Asia’s success in regional integration.

Concluding remarks:

Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General (Closing Remarks)

Representative of the Japanese Delegation (tbc)

12.00-13.00

Lunch hosted by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs