Second AZEC International Conference to Develop Carbon Markets

(1) The AZEC-DCM was established as a dialogue among policy practitioners to discuss two items that are included in the “Action Plan for the Next Decade” adopted at the Second AZEC Leaders Meeting held in October 2024: “Enhancing the competitiveness of industries through visualization of GHG emissions throughout the supply chain” and “Promotion of high-integrity carbon markets”.

(2) The first meeting was held online in May this year, and this is the second meeting.

(3) “The AZEC International Conference to Promote the JCM and Develop Carbon Markets” (AZEC-JCM International Conference), which was held twice until 2024, was integrated into the AZEC-DCM, and continues to discuss activation of high-quality credit transactions within the region, creation of incentives for decarbonization investments, and other related subjects.

(1) The conference brought together policymakers from energy and environmental ministries in AZEC partner countries and representatives from related organizations.

(2) Participants shared information and exchanged views on: (a) policy development regarding carbon pricing in each country; and (b) initiatives by governments and private companies to promote high-integrity carbon markets.

(1) Meeting Title
Second Asia Zero Emission Community International Conference to Develop Carbon Markets (AZEC-DCM)

(2) Date and Location
Date: August 28, 2025
Location: Kobe, Japan

(3) Japanese Government Participants
Mr. OI Michihiro, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of the Environment
Mr. KASUYA Naoki, Senior Director for Energy and Environmental Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ms. NISHI Kyoko, Deputy Director General for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
and others

(4) Organizers
Ministry of the Environment, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan

(5) Agenda
Session 1: Regional current situation and existing practices in carbon pricing
Session 2: Progress on International Carbon Markets - the JCM and other bilateral cooperation
Session 3: Implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement - Infrastructure
Session 4: Development of new approaches for carbon credit
Session 5: Regional cooperation among AZEC partner counties
Wrap-up

Japan will continue discussions towards decarbonization in collaboration with AZEC partner countries, utilizing the AZEC-DCM.

(*) AZEC is a platform for cooperation towards carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions in the Asia region, involving partner countries from 11 nations (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).

First AZEC International Conference to Develop Carbon Markets | Press Release | Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Joint Statement- Action Plan for the Next Decade | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan