The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan is hosting the Tokyo GX (Green Transformation ) Week, in which ministers, leaders of industry and international organizations engaged in various energy and environment-related international meetings and conferences towards realizing global carbon neutrality with sustainable economic growth, through “green transformation”. The week-long event was held beginning 26 September 2022, in Tokyo, Japan in a hybrid format.
The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam, is representing Brunei Darussalam during the Tokyo GX Week, in four (4) meetings and conferences namely: the 5th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting (5th HEM); the 2nd Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting (2nd AGGPM); the 11th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference (11th LNGPCC), and the 2nd Asia CCUS Network Forum (2nd ACN Forum).
The 5th HEM convened on the 26th of September 2022, in which the Ministerial Meeting Session was held in person for the first time since 2019. In line with the Tokyo Statement and the Global Action Agenda, the meeting discussed among others: i) The rapid change in the energy environment; ii) Progress towards building global hydrogen-powered society; and iii) Innovative efforts towards hydrogen utilization in countries around the world.
In his speech, The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office outlined that Brunei Darussalam will continue to work with regional and international institutions on promoting hydrogen energy. Brunei Darussalam played a role in the exploration of hydrogen potential with a collaboration with Japan to execute a Global Hydrogen Supply Chain Demonstration project between 2019 and 2022 and showed that the transport of hydrogen through sea shipping is technologically feasible. But the cost and economies of scale, remain as key challenges.
The 2nd AGGPM was also convened in-person later that day. During the Ministerial Meeting, Ministers reflected on the importance of accelerating diverse and pragmatic energy transitions in Asia, taking into consideration the unique and different circumstances of each country, whilst underscoring the need for openness to utilize all applicable fuel sources and technologies. The importance of well-balanced energy transitions towards achieving carbon neutrality was also emphasized, while ensuring energy security in the region and globally.
In his speech, The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office mentioned Brunei Darussalam’s intent of moving towards net zero by 2050 is supported by specific energy transition initiatives as part of the National Climate Change Policy in diversifying the energy mix. This includes more renewables to shape Brunei Darussalam into a low-carbon nation. Brunei Darussalam has also introduced a number of initiatives during its Chairmanship of the 39th, ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting. This includes, the adoption of the Bandar Seri Begawan Joint Declaration on Energy Security and Energy Transition, which include intensifying long-term energy and climate policy and planning, increase energy efficiency and conservation, expand renewable energy sources, and deploy advanced, cleaner and low-carbon energy technologies.
At the sidelines of the meetings, The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam had the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with The Honorable NAKATANI SHINICHI, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan at the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry’s Headquarters in Tokyo. During the meeting, both Ministers exchanged acknowledgements and emphasized the importance of the long-standing energy cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Japan and to explore possible opportunities on energy transition efforts and further enhance the bilateral relationship between both countries.
Yang Mulia Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya, Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office also attended the meetings as part of the Brunei Darussalam’s delegation. The 11th LNGPCC will be held virtually on the 29th of September 2022. With the theme of “Reorganizing LNG for World Energy Security”, the conference brings together LNG producers, consumers and think-tanks across the world to discuss major topics concerning the LNG sector, including the supply and demand outlook and key efforts toward developing a healthy LNG market.
The 2nd ACN Forum will be held in a hybrid format on the 30th September 2022. The Forum will share knowledge and experience to ensure stable Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects within an Asia-wide CCUS network and reflects on the activities of the ACN over the past year, while recognizing the importance of industry–academia–government platforms on the utilization of CCUS throughout Asia.
The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam also delivered a video Ministerial Speech for the 5th HEM and will deliver similar video Ministerial Speeches for 11th LNGPCC and the 2nd ACN Forum. The videos of these speeches will be accessible online via the official website of the respective meetings and conferences.
