Japan PM Kishida in Abu Dhabi for energy, green tech talks
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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right) welcoming Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Abu Dhabi on July 17.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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ABU DHABI - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday for the second stop of a Gulf tour focused on securing energy supplies and offering Japanese green technology.
Mr Kishida met Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan after landing in Abu Dhabi, said state news agency WAM, adding that the two leaders discussed a comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan. They signed several agreements covering different sectors, WAM added.
Mr Kishida is expected to attend a UAE-Japan business forum later before travelling to major gas producer Qatar on Tuesday, officials said.
Japan is actively developing greener and renewable energy technologies and aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
Mr Kishida will also try to promote Japanese know-how, as energy-producing countries have also pledged to achieve a net-zero transition, especially ahead of the COP28 climate summit to be held in Dubai in November.
His UAE visit follows a stop in Saudi Arabia on Sunday in which Riyadh said it remained committed to securing oil supplies for Japan and will continue cooperating with Tokyo on clean hydrogen, ammonia and recycled carbon fuels.
Mr Kishida and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, agreed to launch the “Manar” initiative, which will help countries around the world achieve their net-zero transitions, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Monday.
Tokyo and Riyadh are also set to start a new strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level – a move both leaders welcomed at their summit meeting, according to a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
“Both leaders agreed to further energise exchanges, which cover politics, diplomacy and security, between the two countries,” the statement said.
Previously, state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) said that Japan imports approximately 25 per cent of its crude oil from the UAE, making it Adnoc’s largest international importer of oil and gas products.
“The secure energy supply from the UAE has supported Japan’s economic growth for many years,” Mr Kishida wrote in an piece published by WAM on Sunday.
A senior official at Japan’s Foreign Ministry told reporters this week that Mr Kishida plans to discuss energy markets during his trip, while also aiming to offer Japanese technologies for net-zero transition. REUTERS
