How to Foster Japan-MENA countries partnership towards NetZero Economies

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There has been a strategic shift in Japan and many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regarding their policies and initiatives related to the energy transition, green economy, and climate change. Their interest in a green economy is high, and their needs, willingness, and calls for international cooperation, are explicit.

Acknowledging the uniqueness of a Japan-MENA cooperation, the urgency of action, and the opportunity offered by the momentum, The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Gulf Research Institute (GRC – a think tank based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) initiated an exploratory study for climate action opportunities between Japan and IsDB member countries in MENA region, targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Tunisia, initially.

The preliminary findings revealed that: i) data and information about technologies, financial schemes, capacity building, and business-matching support are available to some extent in Japan, but unfortunately scattered; ii) government-to-government efforts are bold, but private-sector efforts are lagging behind; and iii) commonly prioritized sectors for climate actions across the countries examined are those related to energy efficiency, renewables, waste management, and coastal zone protection, and other areas for which Japan’s relevant technologies, policies, and best practices are considered world-class.

Objective

Invite experts from government agencies, research institutions, financial institutions, and the private sector to seek their insights, guidance, and suggestions about how to foster Japan-MENA ‘win-win’ net-zero partnership between, including through the launch of a green business matching platform.

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