Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan • Guest speaker
50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Qatar Japan and Qatar have been steadily developing their relationship in the last 50 years, and Japanese companies continue to contribute to the further development of Qatar.
I am delighted that the diplomatic relations between Japan and Qatar mark the 50th anniversary in 2021. Over the past half century, Japan and Qatar have steadily developed their relationship, not only in the field of energy, but in a variety of other fields. The stable supplies of LNG and oil from Qatar have supported Japan’s economic growth for many years.
Japanese companies have contributed to the construction of Qatar’s major infrastructures, including petrochemical plants in the 1970s, LNG plants that went into full swing from the 1990s, the Doha Metro, and Hamad International Airport. In February, a Japanese company won the bid for the plant expansion project of the Northfield gas field, which laid a foundation for Qatar’s prosperity. I’m delighted that Japanese companies with high-end technologies can continuously contribute to the further development of Qatar.
When HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Japan in January 2019, the establishment of the “Strategic Dialogue” between the foreign ministers was agreed, and thus political cooperation has also deepened.
We never forget the generous support we have received from Qatar, in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, including an additional supply of 4 million tons of LNG and a grant of USD100 million.
I believe there is still a great deal of potential for the two countries. I am determined to cooperate with HH Sheikh Tamim to further strengthen our relations toward the next 50 years of our relationship.
Japan puts importance on the Qatar National Vision 2030 and will continue to cooperate toward its realization. This vision, which emphasizes industrial diversification and human resource development, demonstrates HH Sheikh Tamim’s strong leadership and clear vision, and its success is crucial for the prosperity and stability of Qatar as well as the Middle East region. In October 2020, I announced that Japan would achieve a carbon-neutral and decarbonized society by 2050. As the global movement toward a green society is accelerating, it is important to expand our cooperation in the clean energy field, including hydrogen and ammonia, while utilizing LNG, which has a relatively low environmental load. From this perspective, I am very pleased that Japanese companies have been engaging with the first solar power generation project in Qatar as it symbolizes our cooperation in new fields. We will also continue to expand our cooperation in areas such as human resource development and social and environmental development with the aim of realizing Qatar National Vision 2030.
I would like to express my wish to promote bilateral cooperation toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Japan and Qatar, although they are geographically distant each other, have been able to develop and deepen good and stable relations over a long period of time thanks to the connection between us through a free and open ocean which is based on rule of law.
At a time when the international situation is becoming increasingly uncertain and countries are turning inward due to the COVID-19, cooperation toward the realization of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” is becoming more important. We intend to work hand in hand with Qatar, which has a powerful voice, to spread and enroot the fundamental principles of the international community, such as the rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade.
Japan welcomes the agreement on the restoration of relations among the Gulf countries at the GCC Summit in January this year. Japan will continue to closely cooperate with Qatar to ease tensions and stabilize the situation in the Middle East.
This year, despite the impact of the COVID-19, various events are scheduled in both countries to commemorate the 50th anniversary, utilizing online platforms and in other ways. I hope that many people will participate in these events which provide us with opportunities to reflect on the progress our two countries have made over the years, and further strengthen our relationship. This summer, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan, and next year, Qatar will host FIFA World Cup 2022. I look forward to sending messages with hope and courage from Japan and Qatar to the world.