UAE and Japan sign agreements to help accelerate energy transition

The UAE and Japan on Monday signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) to help accelerate the energy transition and the adoption of technology in industry.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy to Japan, met with Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, to discuss the countries’ strong bilateral relations.

The ministers discussed ways to further strengthen the UAE’s and Japan’s relationship under the umbrella of their comprehensive economic partnership.

They explored the hydrogen sector as a key component of a just energy transition. They also discussed the importance of accelerating progress towards carbon neutrality and opportunities for collaboration ahead of COP28 this year.

Dr Al Jaber said: “The UAE and Japan have a longstanding and strong relationship that has developed into a comprehensive economic partnership, underpinned by our leaderships’ commitment to enhance cooperation with strategic partners. We seek to build on this long-term partnership by exploring new opportunities for cooperation and investment that contribute to mutually beneficial sustainable economic growth and diversification.”

During the meeting, several agreements and MoUs were signed, which included a MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

It concerns collaboration in the field of industry and advanced technology and aims to enhance partnerships between Emirati and Japanese companies as well as explore joint investment opportunities.

It also aims to boost collaboration to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in support of both countries’ industrial goals and carbon reduction targets. The MoU was signed by Dr Al Jaber and Yasutoshi Nishimura.

Dr Al Jaber also witnessed the signing of a joint study agreement between Adnoc and Tsubame BHB. The agreement explores opportunities for cooperation in the field of research and development with the aim of finding new solutions for manufacturing ammonia. This agreement falls under the Japanese-Emirati partnership for advanced technology. This initiative supports Japanese technology startups and helps to connect them with Emirati investors to facilitate their expansion.

Dr Al Jaber also witnessed the signing of a MoU between the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, and the Japanese company JERA. This MoU covers field of green hydrogen and renewable energy.

The signing of these agreements and MoUs fall within the framework of the comprehensive economic partnership signed by the two countries in September 2022.

The volume of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries in 2021 amounted to more than AED 49 billion. Additionally, the volume of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries grew by 4.3% during the first nine months of 2022, year-on-year.

Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week - the leading business event for future energy and sustainability – opened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec on Jan.16.

The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit brought together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities on the road to net zero.

The two-day summit is the flagship event of ADSW which runs from Jan.14 to 19. The summit focuses on how to scale up transformative technology, the importance of international partnerships, food security, how to shape the global financial architecture for climate action, and how to secure a stable energy pathway to net zero. It will ensure an ongoing dialogue between key stakeholders and provide opportunities to translate pledges into practical solutions.

Hosted by the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse Masdar, in addition to the ADSW Summit, ADSW 2023 featured a series of key events throughout the week that seek to engage all sections of society.

The World Future Energy Summit – the 14th leading business event for future energy – begins a three-day run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) with global energy and sustainable stakeholders eagerly anticipating insights and outcomes to accelerate global and regional adoption of the circular economy and clean energy.

The 2023 Summit will be a powerhouse of inspiration across key sustainability sectors through six exhibitions and five dedicated forums individually addressing today’s vital energy challenges and multi-sectoral impacts. The vertically segmented expos and forums focus on energy, water, EcoWaste, solar, smart cities, climate, and the environment.