METI State Minister Nakatani Attends ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3) and East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM)

1. High Level-CEO Dialogue on Financing Energy Transition and the Role of Private Sector

Date:

August 24 (Thur.), 2023

Outline:

State Minister Nakatani participated in a panel discussion as part of the High Level-CEO Dialogue on Financing Energy Transition and the Role of Private Sector hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and other organizations. He conveyed to participants that in Asia, which is an engine for global economic growth, it is important to firmly focus on the individual situations of each country, such as geographic conditions and stages of economic development, and to “aim at a common goal, i.e., net-zero emissions, through various pathways that meet the situations in these countries” through leveraging all technologies and energy sources.

2. ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3)

Date:

August 24 (Thur.), 2023

Participating countries:

ASEAN +３member countries (and Timor-Leste as an observer)

Outline:

• The ASEAN+3 (Japan, China and the ROK) member countries held discussions toward policy harmonization and international cooperation for the purpose of realizing sustainable economic growth while strengthening energy security and measures against climate change in the ASEAN region, which faces increasing energy demand.
• State Minister Nakatani mainly stated the following points at the meeting.
  • Climate change are urgent issue that participating countries must work together, and particularly in Asia, where energy demand is expected to grow along with the expanding economy, achieving decarbonization, energy security and economic growth, simultaneously, is our important challenge.
  • It is Japan’s priority to promote energy transition together with ASEAN countries. Japan will formulate tangible projects for introducing various decarbonizing technologies according to each country’s situation in collaboration with certain initiatives, including “the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) “, which was launched in 2023, commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and “the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI)”, as frameworks under which Japan will contribute to decarbonization in the Asian region.
  • Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, the IAEA’s comprehensive report published in July 2023 concluded that the discharge is consistent with international safety standards and that the radiological impact on people and the environment will be negligible.
• Based on the discussion results, the meeting compiled a joint ministerial statement.

3. Seminar hosted by the JETRO Jakarta Office and the 5th CEFIA Government-Private Forum

Date:

August 25 (Fri.), 2023

Outline:

State Minister Nakatani delivered an address at the joint opening ceremony of a seminar hosted by the JETRO Jakarta Office and the 5th CEFIA Government-Private Forum. He explained that Japan would execute global leadership in green transformation (GX) and that it has been making joint efforts with other Asian countries toward effective energy transitions to realize the AZEC concept. In addition, he also stated that it is important for governments and industrial players to collaborate in advancing efforts to realize the AZEC concept and that CEFIA as well will contribute to the collaboration as a public-private initiative.

• For details of the 5th CEFIA Government-Private Forum, visit here.

4. East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM)

Date:

August 25 (Fri.), 2023

Participating countries:

EAS member countries (and Timor-Leste as an observer) and related international organizations

Outline:

• The EAS EMM invited some related international organizations and held dialogues in order to advance agendas on climate sustainability and decarbonization in the energy field, against the backdrop of the geopolitical tensions that EAS member countries are facing that are undermining the group's efforts to enhance energy security and affordable energy supply in the EAS region.
• State Minister Nakatani mainly stated the following points at the meeting.
  • Given the dramatically changing global energy landscape, it is significant to promote a well-balanced energy transition taking into consideration energy security, sustainable economic growth, and climate change countermeasures in order to achieve our common goal of global carbon neutrality.
  • It is important to “aim for a common goal of net-zero through various pathways in line with national circumstances” using all technologies and energy sources, and member countries need to advance realistic transitions while identifying alternative energy resources and solutions.
  • Japan will support each countries’ efforts for accelerating realistic and various energy transitions formulating tangible projects introducing various decarbonizing technologies according to each country’s situation in collaboration with certain initiatives, including “the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) “, which was launched in 2023, commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and “the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI)”, as frameworks under which Japan will contribute to decarbonization in the Asian region.
  • Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, the IAEA’s comprehensive report published in July 2023 concluded that the discharge is consistent with international safety standards and that the radiological impact on people and the environment will be negligible.
  • Concerning the Chinese government’s announcement that it would suspend import of all aquatic products from Japan, Japan strongly urges China to immediately repeal its measure. Based on the discussion results, the meeting compiled a chair’s summary.

5. Meetings with participating ministers

Taking the opportunity afforded by both ministerial meetings above, State Minister Nakatani exchanged views with H.E. David M. Turk, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy; H.E. Mr. Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Republic of Indonesia; H.E. Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam; H.E. Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Singapore; and Hon. Raphael P. M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy, the Philippines.

To each of the ASEAN countries, State Minister Nakatani explained the progress made in the efforts for achieving “the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) “ concept and also emphasized that Japan and ASEAN countries need to collaborate in formulating tangible projects. In addition, Japan and individual countries held discussions on projects for bilateral energy cooperation, including projects for decarbonizing technologies, and they also exchanged views on collaboration in international meetings, including the Tokyo GX Week to be held in Tokyo in September 2023. In the meeting with the U.S., the two sides confirmed that the realization of energy transition in the ASEAN region requires Japan-US collaboration. In addition, regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Japan has proceeding based on scientific evidence and international standards, and reaffirmed continued understanding and support by the U.S.

Photos (Left in the upper row: meeting with Minister Arifin, Indonesia; right in the upper row: meeting with Deputy Minister Tan, Viet Nam; left in the middle row: Minister of State Low, Singapore; right in the middle row: Secretary Lotilla, the Philippines; left in the bottom row: meeting with Deputy Secretary Turk, the U.S.)

Related Materials

• Joint Ministerial Statement of the 20th ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM+3)(PDF:153KB)
• Chair’s Summary of the17th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM)(PDF:129KB)

Division in Charge

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