Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya delivered the national statement of Japan at the recent International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics (Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution) at the Conrad Manila Hotel.
The forum brought together representatives from the Philippine government and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) members states, international experts on nuclear science and marine ecology, and other stakeholders. Among them were Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Kanda Masato.
Focusing on NUTEC Plastics, the forum highlighted nuclear science technology and its various applications to address the ever-growing issue of global plastic pollution.
In reading the national statement of Japan, Ambassador Endo cited marine plastic pollution as one of the most critical environmental issues facing the world today. To address the challenges this issue presents, he noted, “The high-level forum offers a critically important opportunity to advance innovative recycling techniques utilizing nuclear science, strengthen international cooperation, and foster multilateral discussions.”
According to him, Japan strongly supported the NUTEC Plastics initiative since its inception. To date, Japan has contributed approximately EUR1.3 million to the IAEA, supporting related technical cooperation and coordinated research projects on NUTEC Plastics. For instance, Japan funded the development of irradiation-based plastic recycling technologies, with a view to future societal implementation in the Philippines, being one of the pilot countries along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
In closing, Ambassador Endo said, “Japan will work towards a sustainable solution to this critical issue in close cooperation with the IAEA as well as its partner organizations, while making best use of our expertise in recycling and nuclear science and technology.”
