UAE, Japan ink agreements to advance energy transition, tech adoption

The UAE and Japan have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) to help accelerate the energy transition and the adoption of technology in industry on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023.

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and UAE Special Envoy to Japan, met with Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, to explore the hydrogen sector as a key component of a just energy transition. They also discussed the importance of accelerating progress toward carbon neutrality and opportunities for collaboration ahead of COP28, which will be held later this year, reported the state news agency WAM.

Dr Al Jaber said, “The UAE and Japan have a long-standing 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.”

Read: UAE and Japan strengthen bilateral ties in various sectors

Highlights of MoUs signed 

Agreements signed during the meeting included an MoU between the MoIAT and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It covers 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 will further enable collaboration to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies in support of both countries’ industrial goals and carbon reduction targets, reported WAM.

#UAE, #Japan sign agreements to help accelerate energy transition and tech adoption in industry.#WamNews https://t.co/jEj6V7M3Su

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) January 17, 2023

Dr Al Jaber also witnessed the signing of a joint study agreement between ADNOC and Tsubame BHB to build 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.

The initiative supports Japanese technology startups and helps to connect them with Emirati investors to facilitate their expansion.

An MoU was also signed between Masdar and the Japanese company JERA., covering the fields of green hydrogen and renewable energy.

UAE-Japan trade ties

The signing of these agreements falls 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 Dh49bn. Additionally, the volume of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries grew by 4.3 per cent during the first nine months of 2022, year-on-year.