METI Minister Nishimura Attends the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM14) and 8th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-8), and a G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting

1. The 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM14) and 8th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-8)

(1) Outline

Date: July 21 (Fri.), 2023
Participating countries, etc.: CEM member countries, MI member countries, etc.

(2) Details of the discussions

Minister Nishimura participated in a session on industry decarbonization. He addressed Japan's efforts on [i] the Green Transformation (GX) policy, [ii] innovation, and [iii] finance, which are important measures for the simultaneous achievement of ensuring a stable energy supply, realizing  carbon neutrality by 2050, strengthening  industrial competitiveness and economic growth. He also conveyed Japan’s efforts on its contribution to global decarbonization referring to Japan’s activities in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

2. G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting

(1) Outline

Date: July 22 (Sat.), 2023
Participating countries, etc.: G20 member countries, etc.
Invited international organizations, etc.:
The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), etc.

(2) Details of the discussions

• The G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting held discussions on certain issues, including the following: [i] energy security and diversified supply chains, [ii] universal energy access, [iii] just, affordable, and inclusive energy transition pathways, [iv] energy efficiency and responsible consumption, [v] addressing technology gaps for energy transitions, [vi] fuels for future, and [vii] access to low-cost financing for energy transitions.
• Minister Nishimura stated the importance of the simultaneous achievement of the measures against climate change, secure energy security, and economic growth, and, in particular, stressed the significance of [i] energy transition through various pathways, [ii] promotion of innovation, and [iii] decarbonization across the world.
• In addition, Japan explained that it has been advancing efforts for decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station based on scientific evidence. In particular, it stated that regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, the IAEA’s comprehensive report published this month  concluded that the discharge is consistent with international safety standards and that the radiological impact to people and the environment will be negligible. He further stated that Japan has been explaining to international community its efforts for advancing the measures for ALPS treated water in accordance with scientific evidence and in consist with international safety standards, it would continue to address this issue in transparent manner.
• Based on the discussion results, the meeting decided to issue an outcome document and a chair’s summary.

(3) Documents adopted at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting

• The outcome document and the chair’s summary

   

  

3. Meetings with other participating ministers

Taking the opportunity of the G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Nishimura exchanged views with each of the 15 participating ministers and international organizations’ heads.

(1) H.E. Mr. Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, India

Japan and India, the 2023 G20 chair, confirmed that the two countries would further enrich Japan-India cooperation in hydrogen and ammonia, and the two ministers welcomed the fact that the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd., a subsidiary of the Ministry of Power of India, will be the first Indian institution to participate in the private sector-led Asia Transition Finance Study Group.

(2) H.E. Ms. Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary, Department of Energy, the U.S.

The two sides confirmed cooperation in the APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting to be hosted by the U.S. in 2023 and also bilateral cooperation in such fields as nuclear energy, hydrogen, and ammonia.

(3) H.E. Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany

The two sides confirmed collaboration toward COP28 to be held at the end of 2023 and the advancement of cooperation in a variety of fields, including hydrogen, ammonia, and critical minerals.

(4) The Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the U.K.

The two sides welcomed the progress made in cooperation in the field of clean energy, including nuclear energy and renewable energy, and they also confirmed that Japan and the UK would make efforts for further progress.

(5) H.E. Ms. Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, EU

The two sides held discussions not only on the field of hydrogen, regarding which Japan and the EU concluded a memorandum of cooperation in December 2022, but also on specific future cooperation and other efforts in such fields as LNG and energy conservation.

(6) H.E. Dr. Tan See Leng, the Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore

The two sides referred to cooperation through AZEC and also held discussions on bilateral cooperation in such fields as hydrogen and ammonia.

(7) H.E. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh

The two sides confirmed with each other the importance of introducing technologies related to renewable energy, enhancing the efficiency of the existing coal-fired power plants, and utilization of LNG. They then agreed to formulate an energy transition roadmap through the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI). Japan and Bangladesh released a future cooperation policy titled the Joint Statement for Cooperation on Energy Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality. For details, visit the website below.

• Joint Statement between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources for Cooperation on Energy Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality

(8) H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Special Envoy to Japan, the UAE

The two ministers mentioned the past bilateral cooperation efforts, which significantly moved forward under the Japan-UAE Innovation Partnership launched by the leaders of Japan and the UAE during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the UAE, and held discussions on the specification of efforts and cooperation for COP28 to be hosted by the UAE.

(9) H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy, the UAE

The two sides exchanged opinions on securing a stable energy supply and stabilizing the energy markets, as well as cooperation for COP28 to be hosted by the UAE.

(10) H.R.H. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Minister of Energy, Saudi Arabia

The two sides held discussions on cooperation toward a clean energy transition under the Japan-KSA Lighthouse Initiative for Clean Energy Cooperation and also discussions toward the stabilization of international crude oil markets.

(11) H.E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser bin Said al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Oman

The two ministers held discussions on stable LNG and other energy markets and cooperation in the field of clean energy, such as hydrogen and ammonia.

(12) H.E. Mr. Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Denmark

The two sides exchanged views on advancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of offshore wind power generation and hydrogen for achieving decarbonization.

(13) H.E. Mr. Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, Minister of Mines and Energy, Brazil

The two ministers exchanged opinions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields, including mineral resources, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and energy efficiency.

(14) H.E. Mr. Samson Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa

The two sides confirmed the importance of achieving decarbonization through a variety of pathways that meet the situations in each country and they exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in such fields as critical minerals and hydrogen.

(15) Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Japan expressed appreciation for IEA’s cooperation in the G7 meetings hosted by Japan and the two sides held discussions on the enhancement of global energy security, including a stable supply of critical minerals and LNG.

Division in Charge

International Affairs Division, Commissioner’s Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

Information on Item 1 alone:

International Affairs Office, Policy Planning and Coordination Division, Industrial Science, Technology and Environment Policy Bureau