TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the phone Tuesday that his country will continue to lead international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’ll accelerate a virtuous circle of the environment and growth, and continue to lead the international community,” Suga said during the phone talks, according to Japanese officials.

Guterres welcomed Japan’s goal, announced by Suga in the previous day, of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero by 2050.

The phone talks were held at the request of the Guterres side, following the announcement by Suga, the officials said.

On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese leader and the UN chief agreed to promote the development of health care and medical systems mainly in developing nations.

The UN nuclear weapons ban treaty, set to enter into force in January, did not come up in their talks.

JIJI Press