The Japanese are all in for the Gulf’s clean energy potential: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with Saudi Arabia and UAE officials aimed at strengthening ties in the fields of clean energy, energy supply and other priority sectors. Kishida’s GCC tour — which includes a visit to Qatar today — comes as Japan seeks to secure energy supplies and offer the Japanese know-how for green tech, according to Reuters.

An ambitious tie-up with Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia and Japan signed 26 MoUs and investment agreements in several priority sectors including green and traditional energy, environment, technology and others, SPA reports. The MoUs were signed in Jeddah during the Saudi-Japanese roundtable meeting attended by Kishida and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih and representatives of 44 Japanese companies. The meeting reviewed and explored potential investments in several sectors, including clean energy, clean chemicals, mining, healthcare, and digital technologies, according to SPA.

Decarbonization on the table: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Kishida agreed in a meeting to cooperate in sharing technology to help in the decarbonization and economic diversification of the Gulf country, according to The Japan Times. “We are shifting away from the existing relationship of an oil importer and an exporter and will deepen a new global partnership for the decarbonization era,” Kishida said following the meeting with the Saudi leader.

And that’s not all: The Saudi Energy Ministry affirmed an ongoing joint cooperation between the two countries in clean hydrogen under two MoUs on developing clean hydrogen, ammonia and its derivatives and recycled carbon fuel in Japan, according to a ministry statement on Saturday.

An initiative for all is happening: Kishida and the Saudi crown prince agreed to establish the KSA-Japan Lighthouse Initiative for clean energy cooperation, according to a Saudi Energy Ministry statement. The initiative will “serve as a beacon for other countries and regions as they develop their strategies and roadmaps toward their net zero ambitions,” the statement said. The initiative will focus on clean energy transition projects, including hydrogen, ammonia, e-fuel, circular carbon economy and carbon recycling, critical minerals and other areas of partnership.

Promising steps forward with the UAE: UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Kishida also inked agreements and a joint statement on climate action, Wam reports. The MoUs include a joint declaration of intent between the UAE Industry and Advanced Technology Ministry and Japan’s Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry to establish an Energy Security and Industry Accelerator. Both leaders also discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in the fields of the economy, trade, technology, energy, space, and education, according to Wam.

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