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Leaders Session of the 6th RD20 Conference Held
December 4, 2024
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, a Leaders Session of the 6th Research and Development 20 for Clean Energy Technologies (RD20) Conference was held in New Delhi, India, which was mainly hosted by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India and co-hosted by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), etc. This session brought together leaders of research institutes in the field of clean energy technology representing 19 countries and regions, who held discussions toward generating innovation for decarbonization and discussions on the future expansion of RD20’s activities, including its relationship with G20.
Overview of the conference
RD20 is an initiative (framework) launched in 2019 under the leadership of Japan to encourage major research institutes in G20 countries and regions to advance international collaboration in research and development toward achieving carbon neutrality. While the 1st to 5th RD20 Conferences were held in Japan (Tokyo or Fukushima), this 6th conference was held in New Delhi, India, as the first occasion outside Japan, and was hosted by TERI, an RD20 member organization.
On Tuesday, December 3, an opening ceremony for the Leaders Session of the conference was held and Mr. Kato Akiyoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, delivered a speech in the form of a video message. He shared his high expectations for RD20’s activities in terms of their ability to promote international cooperation in achieving carbon neutrality.
Following the ceremony, Dr. Arun K. Tripathi, Advisor, and Mr. Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, both from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India, delivered a speech on India’s policies for energy transition and the role of clean hydrogen in achieving it, and participants held discussions on these issues. In addition, during the explanations of RD20’s activities, some RD20 members reported achievements, including RD20 Summer Schools to promote the global development of young researchers and the RD20 Tokyo Symposium held in Japan in October 2024. Moreover, participants held discussions on the collaboration between RD20 and Mission Innovation, which is an initiative to encourage research and development, demonstration, and international collaboration in the field of clean energy.
Following this, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ishimura Kazuhiko, President and CEO, AIST, leaders from 22 research institutes in 19 countries and regions, including Japan, held discussions on RD20’s future contributions to G20, looking to the further expansion of RD20's activities, and future RD20 activities from the next fiscal year onwards. The results of the discussions are scheduled to be compiled into Leaders Recommendation and published on the RD20 website at a later date.
Prior to the Leaders Session, a Technical Session was held on Monday, December 2. Participants held discussions on technologies, including hydrogen and biofuels. In addition, on Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 5, some workshops only for stakeholders are scheduled to be held.

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