Energy conservation and energy supply with the consideration for environment are
absolutely imperative in order to realize the sustainable development. Improving the
access to reliable and environmentally sound energy services is, in particular, important,
which we discuss this afternoon as well as tomorrow morning.
At the Regional Implementation Meeting for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok last
January which Japan joined as one of the regional members, we found out that one of
the main challenges in the region is how to continue provide and expand access to
equitable energy services in support of economic growth and poverty eradication
without jeopardizing long-term prosperity and environmental sustainability. I think this
circumstance is not specific in Asia and the Pacific region.
Japan believes technology on energy conservation and renewable energy shows the
potentials to satisfy both of the economic activities and environmental integrity.
Cooperation on environmental-friendly technologies and relative human resource
development with the developing countries will contribute not just to improving the
energy access, but to promoting sustainable development.
Japan has actively engaged in R&D of renewable energy and energy conservation for
the reason of energy security and environmental concern. In the middle and long-term
perspective, it is important to seek for simultaneous solution in the issues related to
energy, economy and environment. Japan has impleme nted a wide range of policies and
programs in environment and energy which help us positively contribute to
simultaneous pursuit in environmental integrity and economic growth. For instance,
Japan has promoted renewable energy including the solar power generation, wind power
generation and advanced biomass by placing them as valuable energy contributing to
improving self-sufficient rate of energy and addressing the environmental concerns such
as global warming. We had taken necessary measures in the process such as support in
finance and legal development.
Japan believes these experiences will contribute to the objective of environmentally
sustainable economic growth in the world. Japan acts as one of the responsible countries
with advanced energy/environment technologies, and in this sense we are pleased to
join the discussions on CSD 14th to exploit our knowledge and experiences in achieving
our goal articulated in MDG. I would like to briefly explain the gist of our international
cooperation. One of the significant reason technology transfer does not develop is lack
of capacity in the energy area as some of the speakers point out yesterday. Japan
supports a number of the workshop, training programs and bilateral and multilateral
dialogues in Asia. All these activities support the developing countries in constructing
the enabling environment that is what the community needs in terms of access to power.
Japan implements ?Asia Pacific Environmental Innovation Strategy, (APEIS)? and Asia
CDM Capacity Building Initiative to improve the CDM projects as some of the
activities Japan engages in to realize implementation plan of WSSD. In small island
developing states, Japan helps in development of the stable power supply by grant aid.
In Asia, Japan promotes demonstr ation projects for renewable energy technology,
especially for photovoltaic system in Asian region. These projects have been operated at
15 sites in 9 countries.
The problems we are facing are interlined among energy, economy, industrial
development and c limate change. I believe we have to reach the win-win solution with
no regret rather than a solution with sacrifice of the others. Clean technologies and
capacity building play a central role on this pursuit.
