Tokyo – Sultan Al-Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko in Tokyo on Monday. The meeting marked the first ministerial-level discussion under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for the UAE’s consistent supply of crude oil to Japan and its assistance in facilitating Japanese companies’ involvement in upstream development over the years. She also requested the UAE’s support in stabilizing the crude oil market and exploring potential production increases.
Minister Al-Jaber congratulated Kamikawa on her new position and expressed his commitment to establishing a direct and robust dialogue, fostering a strong partnership, and expanding the strategic relationship between the UAE and Japan.
The ministers exchanged views on the “Japan-UAE Innovation Partnership” and the concept of a “Global Green Energy Hub,” which were discussed during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s recent visit to the UAE. Kamikawa expressed her appreciation for Al-Jaber’s support in hosting Prime Minister Kishida in July of this year, describing the visit as fruitful. She emphasized Japan’s high regard for its strategic partnership with the UAE and expressed a desire to enhance bilateral cooperation across various fields while addressing challenges in the Middle East and the international community.
Al-Jaber expressed his strong commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Japan, underscoring the mutual benefits of collaboration. The ministers also discussed cooperation in defense, international arenas such as the UN Security Council, and upcoming expos and events.
The ministerial-level meeting falls under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative, established through the “Joint Declaration on the Implementation of the CSPI” signed by Japan and the UAE in September 2022. Both ministers agreed to continue utilizing the CSPI framework as a platform for ongoing consultation and cooperation between the two countries.
The discussion also touched upon the upcoming COP28 (Conference of the Parties) event, scheduled to take place in the UAE from November 30 to December 12. As the president-designate of COP28, Minister Al-Jaber briefed Kamikawa on the preparations for the conference and expressed anticipation for Japan’s contributions.
The meeting between Minister Al-Jaber and Foreign Minister Kamikawa signifies the deepening partnership between the UAE and Japan and their commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors. Through continued dialogue and collaboration, the two nations aim to advance their strategic alliance and address regional and global challenges together.
