The Conferral of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Upon Mrs Helen Clark

The Government of Japan announced on November 3rd the foreign recipients of the 2017 Autumn Decorations. On this occasion, Mrs Helen Clark, ONZ SSI PC, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will be bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of her contributions towards promoting the friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand, as well as strengthening the relationship between Japan and the UNDP.

Mrs Clark has contributed to the deepening of diplomatic ties and understanding towards Japan in New Zealand as Member of Parliament and as Prime Minister, realizing multiple high level exchanges through visits including one by Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to New Zealand and her own visit to the Aichi Expo which led to a deeper understanding of the respective countries amongst Japanese and Kiwi citizens.

She also strongly promoted the relationship between Japan and the UNDP during her tenure as Administrator on issues such as eradicating poverty and realizing sustainable development, notably showing strong support for initiatives by the Government of Japan such as the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, and the World Assembly on Women (WAW!). Through such activities, Mrs Clark has made a significant contribution towards enhancing the mutual friendship between Japan and New Zealand, as well as the partnership between Japan and the UNDP.

Decoration: The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

Service: Promoting the friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand; as well as,

Strengthening the relationship between Japan and the UNDP

Name of recipient: Mrs Helen Clark

Major Titles:

• Former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• Former Prime Minister of New Zealand

• Former Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party

• Former Member of Parliament for Mt. Albert

ENDS

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