POLICY & DIPLOMACYPRIME MINISTER’SFIRST OVERSEAS TRIP
COP26 WORLD LEADERS SUMMIT STATEMENTNOVEMBER 2, 2021
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/100_kishida/statement/202111/_00002.html

On November 2, Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio visited Glasgow, the United Kingdom on his first overseas trip
to attend the World Leaders Summit of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) and other events.
On that occasion, the prime minister held bilateral summit meetings with the leaders of the United States, the UnitedKingdom, Australia, and Viet Nam, and with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. He also exchanged words withmany other heads of state.
In his speech at the World Leaders Summit, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his own determination that Japan would
work in full force to take on climate change, a common challenge of humankind. The following is the full text of his speech.

Prime Minister Kishidaattended the WorldLeaders Summit of theCOP26 in the U.K. There,
he pledged to provide up
to an additional 10 billion
USD in the coming fiveyears to support thedecarbonization of Asiaand beyond.

At the outset, let me start by commending my friend,Boris, for his leadership in hosting the COP 26.
I have come all the way to Glasgow to convey myown determination that Japan will be working in fullforce to take on climate change, a common challengeof humankind.
Six years have passed since the adoption of theParis Agreement. At that time, under the leadershipof then President Laurent Fabius, we had renewed
our resolve. We must not forget that very moment.
“Fumio, I really want to give this to you.” To this day,I have been keeping and cherishing the gavel that myfriend Laurent presented to me as a testament to myown resolution to confront the climate issue seriously.
To achieve our goal, this coming decade will be
critical. Together, with high ambitions, let us do all

we can going forward!
“Net-zero by 2050”; Japan will realize this goal
under our newly adopted Long-term Strategy.
I assure that Japan aims to reduce its greenhousegas emissions by 46% in the fiscal year 2030 from its
fiscal year 2013 levels, and that Japan will continue
strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty
goal of cutting its emissions by 50%.
Mr. President,
To bring about a decarbonized society, Japan will
introduce renewable energy as much as possible, andlead the way in the clean energy transition, with aparticular focus on Asia.
Since solar power plays a major role in thetransition to renewables in Asia, to help stabilize
electrical frequency in the region, converting existing
thermal power generations into zero-emission power
generation is a necessary path. To this end, Japan,
through the Asia Energy Transition Initiative, willdevelop leading projects worth 100 million USD
to transform fossil-fuel-fired thermal power into
zero-emission thermal power such as ammonia andhydrogen. Developed countries are collectively
committed to the 100 billion USD per year goal ofclimate finance. However, we have not yet achieved
this target. In order to lead the initiative in fulfilling
this financial gap, today, I am pleased to announce ouradditional contribution. Japan announced last June
our contribution to provide support worth 60 billion
USD, both in public and private finance, in the next
five years. On top of that, Japan will provide up to 10
billion USD in the coming five years, which would
include our contribution to the launch of Innovative
Financial Facility for Climate as we partner with theAsian Development Bank and others to support thedecarbonization of Asia and beyond.
Together with Boris, Japan will call on otherdeveloped countries to join us in our collectiveefforts.
Capitalizing on these initiatives, Japan will press
onward to undertake efforts toward net-zero emissionsin Asia, the engine of global economic growth.
With an aim to realizing a future where vehicles,
the world’s essentials, will become zero emission,
Japan will take advantage of all the available optionsof technologies.

Top: At a high-level event on
infrastructure and climatechange, Prime Minister Kishidasaid that he would lead theinternational community’scommitment to achieving abetter recovery fromCOVID-19.
Right: In between the meetings,
the prime minister actively
engaged in summit diplomacy
including talks with President
Joe Biden of the United States.

By utilizing our own 2 trillion yen Green Innovation
Fund, Japan will develop next-generation batteries
and motors, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels, which all
hold the key to the spread of electric vehicles.
While spreading the fruits of these innovations
across Asia, Japan will spearhead global efforts.
Furthermore, Japan will be participating in theGlobal Methane Pledge. As we are moving forwardin the transition to decarbonization, the ongoingissue of rising energy prices also calls for our joint
discussions among leaders to meet the challenge.
For adaptation to climate change, Japan will
double our assistance to approximately 14.8 billion
USD such as in the area of disaster risk reduction.
Concerning global forestry conservation, I hereby
announce that Japan will provide financial assistanceworth approximately 240 million USD, utilizing
advanced technologies and working in collaboration
with the international organizations.
No one must be left behind as we confront the issueof climate change. Japan will dedicate all its strength
to undertake actions and contribute to the future ofhumankind.
Thank you.