Speeches by the Environment Minister

Video message by KOIZUMI Shinjiro, Minister of the Environment, Japan, at G20 (November 24, 2020)

I am KOIZUMI Shinjiro, Minister of the Environment, Japan.

Thank you Chair, for giving Japan the opportunity to speak as a

member of the Troika today.

 

First of all, I would like to thank the Chair country Saudi Arabia,

headed by His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al-Fadli, Minister of the

Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Saudi team for

holding the first ever Environment Ministers Meeting in the G20

history, following last year's G20 ministerial meeting in Karuizawa

in Japan. It is extremely important for G20 Ministers of the

Environment to discuss environmental challenges facing us today.

I can imagine how hard it is to prepare this meeting during the time

of pandemic and would like to express my deepest respect for the

Saudi Arabian Presidency's efforts and hospitality.

 

The UNFCCC and I had the pleasure to co-host an online

ministerial meeting on September 3rd to unveil "Platform for

Redesign 2020". I am thankful to the many G20 countries for their

participation and video message contributions. With the

participation of 96 countries, this ministerial meeting was the

largest ever organized online on climate change. While COP26

was postponed, global solidarity and climate momentum were

strengthened during the meeting.

 

"Redesign" was recognized as the key concept in that meeting.

We all shared the understanding that the transition to a

decarbonized society, the transition to a circular economy, and the

transition to a decentralized society are the core of redesigning our

socio-economic system for a more sustainable and resilient world.

Going forward, Japan will lead by example, strengthening

international cooperation and pursuing the Redesign of our socioeconomic

system through the three transitions.

 

Land degradation and habitat loss as well as coral reefs

conservation, which are the main topics discussed in this

meeting, are all extremely important issues with regards to the

conservation of biodiversity.

 

I am confident that the results of this meeting's discussions will

contribute to the development of the Post-2020 Global

Biodiversity Framework at COP15 to the Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD) scheduled in May next year. On the

occasion of the COP15, Japan wishes to further develop the

Satoyama Initiative which promotes the sustainable use of local

natural resources.

 

In this relation, I wish to express my respect for the government

and the people of the Republic of Mauritius for their efforts to

respond to the oil spill accident. The government of Japan took the

accident very seriously and immediately dispatched the Japan

Disaster Relief Expert Teams and provided equipment and

materials upon the request of Mauritius. Japan will continue to

provide support in monitoring in an expeditious manner and with

an eye on the mid- to long-term needs.

 

At the G20 Summit last year, Japan proposed the "Osaka Blue

Ocean Vision" in which we aim to reduce additional pollution by

marine plastic litter to zero by 2050. I am pleased to announce that

it has already been shared by as many as 86 countries and

regions, going well beyond the G20 boundary and approaching

half the world. This vision should become a universal one, as this

problem requires a global solution.

 

We are proactively tackling this issue. Based on "the G20

Implementation Framework" which was established during Japan

presidency, we have compiled 2nd G20 report on actions against

marine plastic litter for peer learning purpose, under the leadership

of Saudi Arabia.

 

In order to effectively resolve this issue, it is necessary to ensure

the involvement of various actors and implement initiatives

adapted to their specific needs. Japan will continue to lead efforts

in developing solutions.

 

Today, I sincerely hope that the G20 ministers will have a candid

exchange of views on these important issues, and that it will lead

to an enhanced solidarity among the G20 countries and in the

world.

 

Thank you. Arigatou.