Tokyo, 18 December 2023: On the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe participated in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting, convened by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The summit showcased discussions shaping the trajectory of regional collaboration towards sustainable development, including the establishment of the Asia Zero Emission Centre in ERIA.

Prime Minister Kishida led the meeting, emphasising the imperative pursuit of ‘net-zero emissions through various pathways and a triple breakthrough encompassing ‘decarbonisation, economic growth, and energy security.’ Within this context, Japan outlined its commitment to fostering next-generation GX (Green Transformation) technologies and pledged to disseminate these innovations and experiences through the AZEC platform.

‘The ‘Asia Zero Emission Centre’, to be set up in ERIA, will serve as a platform to share Japan’s technologies and experiences with partners in Asia. We will promote policy coordination, including developing roadmaps towards decarbonisation and conducting studies on policy development. We will also coordinate support in terms of technology, finance, and human resources, including through JBIC, NEXI, and ODA, as well as through utilising JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism),’ said Prime Minister Kishida.

With a renewed focus on fostering sustainable development and driving the zero-emission agenda forward, ERIA aims to catalyse regional cooperation and innovation, thereby shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for ASEAN and East Asia.

The meeting culminated in the adoption of the ‘AZEC Leaders’ Joint Statement,’ outlining the principles and direction of cooperative efforts, signalling a unified commitment towards a sustainable future. The Statement supports the AZEC platform and the launch of the ‘AZEC Advocacy Group.’ ERIA’s President Watanabe, along with Bernardino Moningka Vega, Alternate Chair of ASEAN-BAC Indonesia representing ASEAN-BAC; and Masakazu Kubota, President of Keidanren, participated in a commemorative photo session, symbolising a unified front in endorsing and championing the AZEC cause.

Photo Credit: Prime Minister's Office of Japan