UNDP Approves $1.5 Million Agreement to Expand Training Activities at International Institute of Seismology in Japan

A 1.5 million agreement to expand training activities at the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering in Japan, which is assisted by the UN Development Programme UNDP, was signed into effect at UNDP headquarters, New York, today. Signatories to the agreement were Senjin Tsuruoka, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, and Myer Cohen, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Operations and Planning Bureau. The agreement also bears the signature of Rene Maheu, who earlier signed the document in Paris on behalf of the project's executing agency, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), of which he is Director-General. The new project marks the second phase of UNDP-assistance to the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering. During the first phase (1962-68) more than 150 experts from 32 developing countries situated within earthquake zones were trained at the Institute in seismology and earthquake engineering. Under the terms of the new agreement, phase II of the project will see an expansion of the training programme and advisory services of the Institute, together with a reorganization of the present curriculum. This phase II programme is being financed by the government of Japan (05,000) and the UNDP (74,400). The Japanese contribution includes the provision of land for expanding the Institute and the supply of new equipment.

Ambassador Senjin Tsuruoka, Permanent Representative of Japan, is seen signing the agreement. At left is Mr. Myer Cohen, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Operations and Planning Bureau. At right is Mr. Tadayuki Monoyama, Second Secretary, Mission of Japan to the UN.