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.