Secretary-General Jun gave a congratulatory speech at the meeting which was held on May 23 attended by approximately 50 environmental experts from Korea, China, Japan, and Russia gathered. Secretary-General Jun stated that he wished for further interchange among the regional governments in Northeast Asia through the forum. Regarding the new Toyama Declaration which was declared at this forum, the Secretary-General suggested working together to review the results of various events previously run by NEAR and also the future plans for cooperation through the existing platform of NEAR Sub-Committee on Environment coordinated by Toyama Prefecture, Japan. At the welcome reception, Secretary-General Jun delivered his gratitude to Governor Takakazu Ishii of Toyama Prefecture for the active support and requested active participation in the upcoming General Assembly and International Forum this year.