Japan And UAE Strengthen Ties In Shared Decarbonisation Challenge
Decarbonisation has emerged as a critical shared challenge for Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as highlighted by Yoshida Nobuhiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. In a recent dialogue with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Nobuhiro underscored the longstanding and robust partnership between Japan and the UAE in the realm of clean energy. The summit, hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, served as a backdrop for discussions on bilateral economic relations, clean energy initiatives, and cooperation under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi-headquartered International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Nobuhiro reiterated Japan's commitment to fostering a "global green energy hub" with the UAE, a vision proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to the UAE last year. He highlighted the collaborative efforts at the UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, where Japan and the UAE co-hosted various events to advance clean energy agendas globally, particularly in the Asia-Middle East region. The minister also pointed out the "Japan-UAE Coordination scheme for Advanced Technology (JU-CAT)" as a pivotal initiative facilitating partnerships between Japanese tech startups and their UAE counterparts.
During his attendance at the IRENA Annual Assembly in Abu Dhabi, Nobuhiro expressed Japan's dedication to contributing to global renewable energy deployment and achieving net-zero emissions. He underscored Japan's ambitious targets towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 46 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. The minister stressed the importance of diversifying energy sources through renewables like green hydrogen and ammonia, and promoting innovative technologies such as floating offshore wind farms and hydrogen-based steel production.
Nobuhiro also highlighted international cooperation as vital for decarbonisation efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), launched by 11 partner countries in 2023 to promote decarbonisation in Asia. Reflecting on the significance of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), he noted its role as a crucial platform for advancing discussions on renewable energy and environmental technology. Japanese companies showcased clean energy solutions and advanced technologies at the summit, indicating further opportunities for global collaboration on decarbonisation efforts.
At the Green Hydrogen Summit during WFES, Nobuhiro emphasized understanding diverse energy landscapes and stakeholders' perspectives in developing a rule-based, transparent global market for hydrogen. This approach underscores Japan's holistic strategy towards achieving a sustainable energy future through international collaboration and technological innovation.
With inputs from WAM
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