On 15 May 2025, in the Special Meeting Room of the House of Representatives` Office Building, an exchange-of-views meeting was held between members of The Elders—including former presidents and former UN Secretaries-General—and Diet members belonging to The Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation.
Representative Banri Kaieda became the 17th Secretary-General of the Committee in 2025, succeeding former Secretary-General Masaharu Nakagawa (now Adviser to the Committee). In his opening remarks, Mr. Kaieda emphasized his intention to secure a new parliamentary resolution on world federation in honour of the UN’s 80th anniversary. This resolution, currently making its way through parliamentary procedures, will update the one adopted twenty years ago on the UN’s 60th anniversary to reflect contemporary international realities. Mr. Kaieda expressed the hope that similar resolutions would be adopted in other countries and stated his desire to deepen friendship with The Elders.
Reporter: Koki Imon
Full text of Secretary-General Banri Kaieda’s remarks
Members of The Elders, thank you for coming. I am Banri Kaieda, Secretary-General of The Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation, the host of today’s meeting.
I would like to express my heartfelt respect for all of you—former heads of state, former UN Secretaries-General and senior UN officials—who continue to work for global peace and justice. We wish to publicize your magnificent activities in Japan, and we would be delighted if you, in turn, would learn more about ours.
Our committee works on a non-partisan basis to create supranational systems capable of solving problems that transcend national borders.
Twenty years ago, on the UN’s 60th anniversary, the House of Representatives adopted what is known as the “World Federation Diet Resolution,” pledging Japan’s contribution to international peace. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN, and we are now working to adopt an upgraded resolution. We hope that similar resolutions will be passed in parliaments around the world; if you agree, we would be grateful for the support of all members of The Elders.
In conclusion, I hope that today’s meeting will deepen the friendship between The Elders and the World Federalist movement and become a step toward world peace. Thank you very much