Professional Luncheon,
John Ashton,
United Kingdom Special Representative for Climate Change

The speech and Q & A will be in English with simultaneous Japanese interpretation.

*The moderator's introduction will begin promptly at 10:45 and be followed immediately by the speaker's remarks and Q & A. Lunch will be served from 11:45.

As scientific warnings about the dangers of climate change grow more dire, governments have been increasingly taking the issue seriously. The United Kingdom signaled its intent to play a major role in the international response to the looming crisis when it appointed John Ashton Special Representative for Climate Change in June 2006 with the rank of Ambassador. At this professional luncheon, Ashton will explain why climate change has become a key foreign policy priority for the UK and outline the UK's thinking on the resource scarcity issues now facing the world.

Ashton spent most of his career in the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, focusing particularly on China and environmental issues. His first diplomatic assignment, from 1981 to 1984, was as Science Attache in the British Embassy in Beijing. He was later an advisor to Chris Patten, the last British Governor of Hong Kong, from 1993 until the colony reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. He went on to establish the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Environment Policy Department and was a senior member of the UK team in United Nations' climate negotiations. He left government service in 2002 to cofound Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G), a not-for-profit organization promoting sustainable development.

Sandwich: Corned beef, swiss cheese & sauerkraut.
Hot Lunch: Pan seared bronzed perch fillet, sweet corn fried rice, grilled brocollini, black bean & coriander salsa.
Dining Room Special: Char grilled lamb fillet, balsamic infused shallot ragout, parsnip puree & grilled asparagus.

John Ashton, UK Special Representative for Climate Change