DEVNET Association

DEVNET Association, commonly known as DEVNET International, is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization established and registered in Italy in 1985 as "DEVNET – Development Information Network." It was created through the efforts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to institutionalize the exchange of technical and trade information among developing countries, following the 1978 UN Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC). The organization aims to strengthen technical-economic cooperation among developing nations and contribute to Third World development through mutual communication and information flows. DEVNET International enjoys consultative status (Category 1) with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), granted through ECOSOC resolution 1296 (XLIV) in 1995. It works with UN system agencies and the European Commission, partnering with approximately 200 countries, regions, and international organizations to promote social and economic development, with activities targeting Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Its core areas include supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), capacity building for development, reducing gender inequality, promoting gender equality, resilience to natural disasters, and peacebuilding. A key initiative is the TIPS (Technical Information Promotion System) program, which has directly or indirectly benefited around 300,000 SMEs in developing countries. DEVNET also provides ICT-based training programs in physical and virtual classrooms to build core competencies. In 2019, DEVNET International moved its headquarters from Rome to Tokyo, Japan, and Fumiyasu Akegawa became its President and CEO. The organization continues to engage in international development projects, including the Thai Canal comprehensive development plan announced in 2021, and participates in global events such as the Shanghai Expo 2010 and Milan Expo 2015.

DEVNET Association, known internationally as DEVNET International, was founded and registered in Italy in 1985 as "DEVNET – Development Information Network." Its creation was driven by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of efforts to institutionalize the exchange of technical and trade information among developing countries, following the 1978 UN Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC). The organization was established based on principles set by UN governing bodies, with the aim of strengthening technical-economic cooperation among developing nations and contributing to Third World development through mutual communication and information flows. In 1995, DEVNET International was granted consultative status (Category 1) with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through ECOSOC resolution 1296 (XLIV). This status allows the organization to have a voice and proposal rights at ECOSOC. Over the following decades, DEVNET expanded its activities globally, partnering with approximately 200 countries, regions, and international organizations. Its programs, particularly the TIPS (Technical Information Promotion System), have benefited around 300,000 SMEs in developing countries. Key milestones include: in 2007, DEVNET contracted with UN-INSTRAW for the project "Gender, Peace and Security in Somalia: Implementation of Resolution 1325"; in 2008, the Shanghai Expo Organizing Committee approved DEVNET's participation alongside four major international organizations; in 2009, the interregional network WINNER benefited about 17,000 women entrepreneurs, and construction began on a 3,600-square-meter DEVNET Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo site; in 2010, DEVNET Day was celebrated at the Shanghai Expo on September 8; in 2013, DEVNET signed an initiation plan with UNDP Nicaragua for technical cooperation to promote new markets for sustainable agro-industry; in 2014, DEVNET signed a project document with UNDP Nicaragua titled "Promotion of Foreign Investment and Agro-Industrial Exports to New Markets"; in 2015, DEVNET signed a partnership agreement with KIP International School for collaboration at the Milan Expo 2015, and DEVNET Japan exhibited at the KIP Pavilion for a full month in August 2015. A major turning point occurred in 2019 when DEVNET International moved its headquarters from Rome to Tokyo, Japan—described as unprecedented in UN history. Fumiyasu Akegawa became President and CEO. The signing and inauguration ceremony held on December 16, 2019, at the Tokyo Prince Hotel was attended by about 600 people from embassies, political and industrial circles, and experts, with speeches by founder Roberto Savio and former President Arsenio Rodriguez. In 2021, DEVNET International announced the "Thai Canal Comprehensive Development Plan" under the approval of King Rama X of Thailand. The plan envisions a canal over 100 km long, capable of accommodating 300,000-ton tankers, shortening current shipping routes by 1,200 km, with urban development at key points and a final development scale three times that of Singapore. A Thailand branch was established in Bangkok, headed by Thanawan Bhookphan. In 2023 and 2024, DEVNET continued its international engagements, including attending the 75th Sri Lanka Independence Day ceremony and appointing N. Nick Nakamura as Senior Advisor for the Thai Canal project.

• 2024

  Continued international engagements including Sri Lanka Independence Day and Thai Canal advisory

• 2023

  Attended 75th Sri Lanka Independence Day ceremony; appointed N. Nick Nakamura as Senior Advisor for Thai Canal project

• 2021

  Announced Thai Canal Comprehensive Development Plan; established Thailand branch in Bangkok

• 2019

  Moved headquarters from Rome to Tokyo; Fumiyasu Akegawa became President and CEO

• 2015

  Signed partnership agreement with KIP International School for Milan Expo 2015

• 2014

  Signed project document with UNDP Nicaragua on promoting foreign investment and agro-industrial exports

• 2013

  Signed initiation plan with UNDP Nicaragua for technical cooperation

• 2010

  DEVNET Day celebrated at Shanghai Expo on September 8

• 2009

  WINNER network benefited about 17,000 women entrepreneurs; construction began on 3,600 sqm DEVNET Pavilion at Shanghai Expo

• 2008

  Shanghai Expo Organizing Committee approved DEVNET's participation

• 2007

  Contracted with UN-INSTRAW for project on Gender, Peace and Security in Somalia

• 1995

  Granted consultative status (Category 1) with UN ECOSOC through resolution 1296 (XLIV)

• 1985

  Founded and registered in Italy as "DEVNET – Development Information Network"

International non-profit NGO with UN ECOSOC consultative status, focused on promoting social and economic development through partnerships and information networks.

• TIPS (Technical Information Promotion System)

  Program benefiting about 300,000 SMEs in developing countries

• WINNER network

  Interregional network benefiting about 17,000 women entrepreneurs

• ICT-based training programs

  Regular training in physical and virtual classrooms

1. 1DEVNET : General Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC.devnetinternational.org
2. 2沿革 - DEVNET Internationaldevnetinternational.org
3. 3私たちについて - DEVNET Internationaldevnetinternational.org
4. 4Wikidata Q131926019wikidata.org