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Suga: G20 Riyadh Summit to shape post-COVID-19 international order

A man uses a phone to film a projected screen at the International Media Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on November 21, 2020 showing Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz as he gives an address opening the G20 summit, held virtually due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, while surrounding him are other G20-participating leaders. (AFP)
A man uses a phone to film a projected screen at the International Media Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on November 21, 2020 showing Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz as he gives an address opening the G20 summit, held virtually due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, while surrounding him are other G20-participating leaders. (AFP)
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23 Nov 2020 07:11:27 GMT9
23 Nov 2020 07:11:27 GMT9

Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Japanese government issued a statement in Tokyo on Monday on the Nov. 21 and 22 G20 Riyadh Summit which Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide attended. 

It said that during the Summit meeting, the G20 leaders discussed major issues the international community is facing, including the global response to COVID-19, global economic and inclusive recovery.

The G20 leaders agreed to the Riyadh Leaders’ Declaration released after the meeting, and Suga led the discussion by presenting Japan’s views for a post-COVID-19 international order.

Suga emphasized that the G20 should deliver the clear message that the members commit themselves to lead the world by (1) responding to COVID-19, (2) achieving global economic recovery, (3) resuming cross-border travel, and (4) shaping post-COVID-19 international order.

With regard to G20’s response to COVID-19, Suga underscored the need to take a holistic approach for securing access to therapeutics, vaccines and diagnoses. In this respect, the Japanese Prime Minister stated that the concept of patent pool, to which Japan attaches importance, deserved to be supported by the G20.

He described Japan’s active role in promoting multilateral cooperation through becoming an original member to launch the ACT Accelerator and supporting the COVAX facility.

The PM also emphasized that quality, inclusive and resilient health systems are important to prepare for any future health crisis and that, in this regard, sustainable financing for health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are indispensable.

Suga announced that Japan will lead the international efforts including hosting the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in December 2021 in order to further contribute to generating an enabling environment for health security across broad sectors such as water and sanitation.

 Japan has been providing assistance of over 1.54 billion USD at an unprecedented speed in addressing the current crisis, he added.

On global economy, Suga stated that Japan will spare no effort to prevent infection while resuming economy and cross-border travel. As the pandemic revealed the need to accelerate digitalization, he explained Japan’s plan to establish an agency in charge of digital transformation as well as its continued effort to promote international rule-making through Osaka Track, based on the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

In addition, the Prime Minister pointed out the need to maintain and enhance multilateral trading system through achieving WTO reform and undertaking other efforts despite the possible spread of inward-looking tendency around the world. He also stressed that spreading and implementing the “G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment,” promoting the reinforcement of supply chains, and addressing debt issues in developing countries in accordance with the common framework agreed by the G20 members are all conducive to realizing a better recovery worldwide.

Prime Minister Suga reiterated his determination to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero, that is, to realize carbon-neutral by 2050.  Addressing climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth, the Prime Minister pointed out, and stressed that we need to embrace a paradigm shift that proactive climate change measures bring growth, as well as to realize a virtuous cycle of economic growth and environment protection through revolutionary innovations. In addition, the Prime Minister explained that Japan aims to reduce additional pollution caused by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050 (in line with “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision”) and supports developing countries in this regard. 

Suga reaffirmed Japan’s determination to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as a symbol of humanity’s resilience and global unity in overcoming the COVID-19. Other G20 leaders commended the Prime Minister’s resolution.

Prior to the Session 2 on November 22, Prime Minister Suga participated in the G20 leaders’ side event “Safeguarding the Planet: The Circular Carbon Economy Approach” through a video message. He highlighted that Japan will strive to realize a greener society through progressive innovation, including achieving a decarbonized society by 2050, and lead the international community.

Suga supported the vision of “Circular Carbon Economy (CCE)” proposed by Saudi Arabia, and emphasized Japan’s contributions to international efforts on environmental issues including conserving marine resources as well as addressing the marine plastic litter.

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