［Japan］ The Second Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting and the First International Conference on Carbon Recycling were held by METI and NEDO in Tokyo

On September 25, 2019, a series of international conferences; the Second Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting and the First International Conference on Carbon Recycling, were held in Tokyo by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). NEDO is Japan’s largest public R&D funding institute specialized in new clean energy technologies.[1]

 Representatives from 35 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, as well as international organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Commission (EC), attended the Second Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting. The Meeting consisted of two sessions; a Ministerial Session and an International Organization Session.

 The Ministerial Session facilitated talks between countries and concluded the Global Action Agenda, setting goals and roadmaps for utilizing hydrogen energy as a key technology to reduce carbon emissions in the energy systems. During the International Organization Session, delegations from global leading companies, as well as the IEA and the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), presented the latest development efforts for hydrogen technologies. These technologies fall under the four areas of cross-cutting activities, transportation/mobility applications, hydrogen supply chains, and cross-sector integration.

 Simultaneously, representatives from 20 countries and international organizations participated in the First International Conference on Carbon Recycling. The conference marked the world’s first international meeting on carbon recycling technologies, and focused on promoting international collaborations. During the meeting, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Isshu Sugawara, presented on Japan’s “Carbon Recycling 3C Initiative ”, which stands for Caravan (promoting mutual exchanges), Center of Research, and Collaboration. This initiative aims to deepen knowledge about carbon recycling technologies overseas, establish research centers to specialize in R&D activities, and strengthen international collaborations. Representatives from various countries also shared their progress in carbon recycling technologies development.[2]

[1] https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/introducing_index.html

[2] https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/09/20190927003/20190927003.html