Japanese House of Representatives Member Kishida Fumio visited the Philippines yesterday as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Supreme Advisor to the Parliamentary Association of Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and held meetings with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
In his meeting with PBBM, Kishida cited the importance of AZEC in simultaneously targeting energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization, in light of the ongoing Middle East situation.
He also disclosed Prime Minister Takaichi is determined to develop AZEC hand in hand with PBBM toward co-hosting the 4th AZEC Leaders Meeting in November with the Philippines.
Handing over a letter to PBBM from PM Takaichi, Kishida said Japan seeks enhanced cooperation with the Philippines in various fields this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
For his part, PBBM reaffirmed his administration will continue to cooperate closely with Japan to overcome the energy crisis.
The two officials also discussed concrete cooperation under the Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia), as well as the direction of the evolution of AZEC with strengthened perspectives on economic and energy resilience.
In his meeting with Secretary Garin, Kishida expressed hope that the two countries’ co-chairmanship at the Ministerial Meeting in September will advance cooperation for promoting concrete projects under the framework of AZEC.
In response, Garin agreed to further deepen cooperation ahead of the Ministerial Meeting, and in close partnership with Japanese companies. The two discussed the future direction of cooperation, including the strengthening of AZEC’s functions.
Japanese companies operating in the Philippines also partipated in exchanging of views during the meeting.
