AZEC Ministerial Meeting 2023

On March 4 (Sat.), 2023, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) held the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting (AMM). In addition, the AZEC Public-Private Investment Forum was held on March 3 (Fri.) to create and accelerate concrete cooperation as part of the AZEC concept. Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Nakatani Shinichi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. Satomi Ryuji, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held meetings with ministers of various countries and others who were visiting Japan on this occasion and exchanged views including on cooperation toward decarbonization.

AZEC Joint Statement

Minister Nishimura chaired the ministerial meeting, during which he made remarks on the importance of decarbonization in Asia, the concept of Asia Zero Emission Community and concrete efforts by Japan. Mr. Nishimura Akihiro, Minister of Environment, and participants from various countries and international organizations made remarks on views toward decarbonization and their expectations for AZEC, and other topics. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida who advocated the AZEC concept gave a video message. In addition, the participants launched AZEC as a platform and agreed to AZEC joint statement including the three following common views:

  1. Advancing cooperation towards carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions while ensuring energy security,

  2. Promoting energy transition while achieving economic growth, and

  3. Recognizing there are various and practical pathways toward carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions depending on the circumstances of each country.

Viet Nam

H.E. Dr. Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam, who was visiting Japan as a senior official from the Vietnamese government for the first time in the 50th anniversary of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations, agreed that both countries will collaborate and cooperate further in decarbonization efforts in Asia on the AZEC platform.

Malaysia

Meeting between Minister Nishimura, Y.B. Tuan Mohd Rafizi bin Ramli, Minister of Economy, Malaysia, and YM Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz, President & Group CEO of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) thus resulting that both countries will collaborate under AZEC toward decarbonization in Asia and exchanged views on ensuring stable supplies of LNG, support for formulating a roadmap toward carbon neutrality in Malaysia, and energy cooperation measures regarding fuel ammonia, CCS, and other areas that can contribute to decarbonization in both countries.

Philippines

In addition, Hon. Raphael P. M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy, the Philippines welcomed the cooperation between Japan and Philippine’s companies in LNG, fuel ammonia, and other fields, and he confirmed the importance of promoting decarbonization efforts depending on each country's circumstance, and of renewable energy toward carbon neutrality.

Thailand

Meeting with H.E. Supattanapong Punmeechaow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Thailand during AMM, discussed support for formulating Thailand's National Energy Plan and cooperation based on the MOU on LNG signed last November. In addition, Japan and Thailand have signed a new MOC on technical cooperation in CCUS and agreed that “ASEAN-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event in Thailand” will be held jointly by METI, JETRO, PTT Public Company Limited (PTT Group), the Thailand Board of Investment  and Ministry of Energy of Thailand, in the capital city Bangkok as early as possible in order to promote the creation of open innovation through collaboration between startups and large companies from both ASEAN and Japan.

Indonesia

As for Indonesia, meeting between Minister Nishimura and H.E. Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Indonesia welcomed the creation of many bilateral projects involving renewable energy, fuel ammonia, natural gas, and other areas. They also agreed to check the progress of each project and continue to communicate with each other. Other than MEMR, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi also met Mr. Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN. Both sides expressed their expectations for the strengthening of bilateral relations based on AZEC, and discussed financing based on the MOU with NEXI and joint projects with Japanese companies.

Singapore

Meeting between Minister Nishimura and H.E. Kim Yong Gan, Minister of Trade and Industry, Singapore welcomed the cooperation between companies in both countries in the fields of hydrogen and ammonia, confirmed the importance of LNG as a transition fuel, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in establishing supply chains for a wide range of energy fields. They also discussed how finance should be used to help achieve carbon neutrality in Asia.

Laos

Meeting between State Minister Nakatani and H.E. Sinava Souphanouvong, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Laos discussed cooperation in clean energy fields, including the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, in order to accelerate future considerations.