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Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

 

At the Signing Ceremony of the Paris Agreement

United Nations, NY

22 April 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          It is my great honour to sign the Paris Agreement on behalf of the Government of Japan. Taking this opportunity, allow me to express our deepest gratitude for the many expressions of condolence and support, which we have received from around the world to the victims and people affected by the recent earthquake in Kumamoto. Furthermore, I wish to convey our profound sympathy and solidarity with the people of Ecuador who have also recently suffered from a devastating earthquake.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          The Paris Agreement is a historic achievement. During the negotiations, Japan consistently advocated for a fair and effective framework applicable to all parties and we are very pleased to have made our thoughts a reality. The implementation of the Paris Agreement is of critical importance for achieving sustainable development as envisaged by the 2030 Agenda, which was agreed by the world leaders here in NY last September.

 

          The signing of the Paris Agreement is only the first step leading to the implementation of the agreement. From now on, we must set ourselves to work toward entering this agreement into force. The most important aim is an early entry into force of the Paris Agreement, with the major emitters as parties to it. Japan will make necessary preparations for the ratification. Furthermore, the setting of detailed rules to effectively realize a worldwide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is indispensable. Japan will make a positive contribution in this respect.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

          Japan is on the side of the people and countries most affected by climate change. Together with other countries capable of doing so, Japan will continue to actively engage in providing assistance to developing countries. This includes the implementation of our pledge made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at COP 21 to contribute 1.3 trillion yen in climate finance by the year 2020. Now, looking toward the year 2050, Japan will continue to reinforce measures in the areas of its strengths. Such measures include promotion of innovation as a key to keeping balance between climate change response and economic growth based on “the National Energy and Environmental Strategy for Technical Innovation”. They also include contributions to global emissions reduction through the Joint Crediting Mechanism, a scheme to transfer superior low carbon technologies to developing countries.

 

          Moreover, Japan will engage in its own emissions reduction by carrying out its Global Warming Response Plan, soon to be adopted by the Cabinet. This Plan incorporates policies and measures to attain ambitious goals of emissions reduction and the direction of long-term measures.

 

          In closing, I wish to express Japan’s determination to join the other countries represented here to lead the effort to address climate change toward the realization of sustainable development through effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.