[Title] Message by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the Leaders Meeting of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Your Excellency, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway,
Your Excellency, Mr. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished delegates,

I am very honored to join the Ocean Panel. It is my great pleasure to be able to cooperate together with the leaders of the major maritime nations in a wide range of areas.

Last year, this Panel issued the “Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.” This document is very significant in terms of its comprehensive coverage on conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, which are also closely linked to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, formulation and implementation of sustainable ocean plans are key factors. Japan has been working on promotion of industrial use of the ocean and maintenance and conservation of marine environment under its Third Basic Plan on Ocean Policy. Japan’s determination to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean under its national jurisdiction will remain consistent.

Regarding climate change, last year, Japan declared its target of realizing net-zero by 2050. Furthermore, we declared that Japan would aim to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels and continue strenuous efforts in its endeavor to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emission by 50%.

In order to realize net-zero, Japan decided on the “Vision for Offshore Wind Power Industry” and set the goal of forming offshore wind power generation projects of 10GW by 2030 and 30-45GW by 2040. Moreover, in the shipping sector, we announced to aim at commercial operation of zero-emission ships that emit no greenhouse gases ahead of the previous target of 2028. Japan will spearhead international efforts to realize a decarbonized society which is set out in the Paris Agreement as a goal by maximizing the potential of the ocean and carrying out concrete measures.

In the area of marine pollution, maritime nations like us are facing a serious challenge with respect to marine plastic litter. Guided by our own initiative of the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision”, Japan has trained over 6,000 people in the area of waste management worldwide, in collaboration with the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre and relevant institutions, and by utilizing our own advanced technology. Nowadays, we are witnessing a growing momentum to set out new international rules in this field. Japan will play a leading role and support this ongoing initiative so that negotiations toward a new international legal instrument will be launched at the United Nations Environment Assembly next February, with the widest possible participation including major emitters and consuming countries of plastics. Japan will continue to make proactive efforts with a view to preventing our oceans from being further polluted with plastic litter.

While there are great challenges ahead of us, I will build partnerships among leaders and steadily work together to advance efforts toward realizing a sustainable ocean economy.

Thank you very much.