By Binsal Abdulkader
ABU DHABI, 4th October, 2023 (WAM) — Japan as this yr’s chair of the Group of Seven (G7) developed nations, and the UAE because the President of the UN Climate Conference (COP28) can work collectively for international power transition and elevated engagement with the Global South, a senior Japanese official instructed the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“Japan is looking forward to providing maximum support to the UAE for its COP28 Presidency. We hope to cooperate firmly at COP 28 to increase our engagement with the Global South and to create a platform for transition [towards decarbonisation] where no one is left behind,” mentioned Iwata Kazuchika, Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
In an unique interview with WAM on the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2023, he added, “We hope that we will be able to showcase our specific cooperation and relationship at COP28, something that symbolises our bilateral relationship.”
Promoting LNG as transitional power
At COP28, Kazuchika defined, Japan will give attention to the three ideas equivalent to varied transition paths, innovation, and finance.
He careworn that because the G7 chair, Japan has taken up power transition and decarbonisation as prime priorities.
“As the President of the G7 this year, Japan is issuing a clear message regarding the importance of LNG (liquefied natural gas). LNG is a transitional energy, so it occupies a very important position. We are looking to deepen our collaboration with the UAE on this as well.”
Japanese firms are participating as companions in ADNOC’s LNG venture, the minister identified.
As the worldwide development is more and more in the direction of decarbonisation, the official made it clear that Japan is real looking to think about the completely different circumstances of every nation in addition to the truth that there might be varied transition paths.
Cooperation in hydrogen, inexperienced power hub
The minister is accountable for reconstruction of Fukushima space that was devastated by the tsunami in 2011, and inexperienced transformation.
Among the initiatives to reconstruct Fukushima, hydrogen as renewable supply can have a serious position, he mentioned.
“I understand that the UAE has revised its national hydrogen strategy and is looking to become part of the league of nations that are going to be the largest hydrogen producers in the future. Likewise, Japan also revised its hydrogen strategy in July this year, which positions Fukushima as the pioneering site for hydrogen.”
Regarding inexperienced transformation, he famous that when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the UAE in July, he proposed a “global green energy hub” between each nations.
Last week’s signing of a joint declaration of intent (JDI) between the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to reinforce cooperation between the 2 nations on local weather motion and on advancing the power transition provides excessive hopes, the minister mentioned. The JDI envisages the event of a world inexperienced power hub between the 2 nations.
Japan has innovative expertise in hydrogen and ammonia, Kazuchika mentioned. “I am sure that the UAE and Japan can work together to build a tangible cooperation in this regard.”
UAE as secure power provider
The UAE has performed a serious position in offering a secure provide of power to the world, Kazuchika famous.
“That’s how the UAE has contributed to the world, and that is why it feels all the more responsible in being proactive in addressing these issues [such as climate change].”
Japan and the UAE have constructed stronger mutual belief, particularly in power sector, he identified.
“The UAE has been Japan’s second largest oil supplier for the past 50 years. For providing a stable source of energy to Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the UAE.”
Japanese firms that invested within the upstream sector of the oil business had been backed up by the UAE, which can be very a lot appreciated, the minister added.
“We would like to continue to build on that relationship, so that we can together generate new innovations. Green energy hub initiative is one such endeavour,” he mentioned.