Al-Kharabsheh: Jordan affirms its commitment to strengthening Arab-Japanese economic and social cooperation

Al-Kharabsheh: Strengthening partnership between countries is a necessity to face the urgent challenges of our time 

Tokyo, Japan, July 10, 2024 - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, affirmed today, Wednesday, the commitment to strengthening economic and social cooperation between Arab countries and Japan.

This came in the opening speech delivered by Al-Kharabsheh during the opening of the Fifth Japanese-Arab Economic Forum, representing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which currently chairs the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States in its current session.

In his speech, Al-Kharabsheh stressed that the forum reflects the rich history of cooperation and joint achievements between the Arab world and Japan in various sectors, such as trade, investment, and technology transfer. He also noted the theme of the forum for this year, which focuses on the energy transition and environmental sustainability, and highlighted the importance of continued partnership in the face of the urgent challenges of our time.

 He stressed that switching to sustainable energy sources, adopting green technology, and preserving the environment are not only strategic necessities, but also moral duties to achieve the well-being of the planet and future generations.

Al-Kharabsheh added that rapid technological progress, including artificial intelligence and digital transformation, plays a vital role in driving innovation and efficiency in the energy sector.

He said that adopting these technologies could revolutionize how energy is generated, distributed, and consumed, leading to more sustainable practices and enhanced environmental stewardship, stressing the power of cooperation in promoting progress and innovation.

Al-Kharabsha praised the partnerships that facilitated the exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience between Arab countries and Japan, including valuable contributions from the private sector. He also praised cultural exchange programs and educational initiatives between Arab countries and Japan, which enriched societies and deepened mutual understanding.

Al-Kharabsheh concluded his speech by pointing out the promising opportunities for future cooperation between Japan and Arab countries in various fields, expressing his confidence that discussions and cooperation during the forum will strengthen ties, inspire new initiatives, pave the way for projects that benefit societies and the environment, and promote artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Al-Kharabsha thanked the participants for their dedication and participation in achieving common goals, stressing that cooperation can make a difference and create a brighter, greener, and technologically advanced future for all.

 The fifth session of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum, which is held at the ministerial level, addresses topics related to sectors of flexible economic development between Japan and the Arab countries, namely energy security for both supply and demand sides, digital infrastructure, and innovation with emerging technology, including artificial intelligence and the metaverse, in addition to Japanese-Arabic sustainable economic development in the field of clean energy technologies, actions for sustainable development goals, and human resources development in the field of energy and digitalization.

The forum is held in accordance with the memorandum of cooperation signed in 2009 between Japan and the League of Arab States to enhance cooperation between them, as it was established as a framework for dialogue at the ministerial level with the aim of strengthening economic relations between Japan and the Arab countries through cooperation in a wide range of economic fields, including trade, investment, energy, science, technology, and human resources development.

The Arab side in the forum is represented by a number of ministers from the sectors of energy, trade, industry, and economy, in an effort to exchange views on the most important issues of common interest in the regional and international arena.

The forum will be held in Tokyo on the 10th and 11th of this month and is organized by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), and the Japanese External Trade Authority (JETRO) in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.