Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: Japanese startups showcased their efforts and initiatives to combat climate change in a conference in Dubai hosted by the Japan External Trade Organization on Monday.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government-related organization that promotes trade interests between Japan and other countries. 

World leaders and entrepreneurs are currently gathered in Dubai to attend the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP28) to discuss and exchange ideas and views on how to make the world more sustainable.

The conference began with a word from Nobuhiro Yoshida, Parliamentary Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, where he expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s oil supply as well as Japan’s decarbonization efforts towards a sustainable future.

“The issue of climate change is a challenge for all of humankind. It is not only Japan, but many countries around the world have set carbon neutrality as their goal,” he said.

“The UAE is the largest import partner for Japan. The good partnership between Japan and the UAE should be expanded and strengthened to cover not only oil but also green fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia,” Yoshida shared, adding that Japan fully supports the UAE’s goal to be an export hub for green fuels by 2031.

Additionally, the Under Secretary of the UAE’s Foreign Trade and Industry, Abdullah Alsaleh, gave a keynote presentation where he reflected on Japan and the UAE’s bilateral relations, explained the UAE’s efforts towards a green economy, and praised Japan’s efforts related to decarbonization.

“Japan is a key knowledge partner that is helping the UAE advance economic diversification and green transformation efforts,” Alsaleh said.

Japanese entrepreneurs, such as the General Manager of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Chairman of Kawaski Heavy Industries, gave speeches about carbon neutrality and the steps Japan is taking towards sustainability.

The Japanese startups presented their pitches for approximately 30 minutes, with companies introducing their innovative solutions, such as ArkEdge’s 3D image capturing system that can detect carbon dioxide and Recursive’s sustainable forest management using artificial intelligence.

Takeshi Denda, Executive Officer of WOTA, introduced the company’s solution of water infrastructure for climate change mitigation and adaptation. He told Arab News Japan that the company’s heavily interested in expanding to Saudi Arabia, especially to Riyadh and Jeddah, as the company is impressed by the current projects happening in the kingdom, such as NEOM. 

Following the pitches, attendees got the chance to network while enjoying a variety of Japanese seafood prepared by Chef Chitoshi Takahashi, who is the current chef at Tomo.