1. ‘Visible’ Reconstruction

2. The 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties

to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17)

3. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting

4. Prime Minister Noda Attends ASEAN-Related Summits

5. Prime Minister Noda Attends the G20 Cannes Summit

The 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17)

Great Advance towards the Establishment of a New International Framework

1. Participation of Japan in COP17

H.E. Mr. Hosono, Minister of Environment, H.E. Mr. Nakano, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Kitagami, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry and H.E. Ms. Nakano, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery participated in the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17), which was held in Durban, South Africa from November 28 to December 11.

2. Japan’s message in COP17

Japan attended COP17 aiming at agreeing on a clear pathway towards the ultimate goal: “expeditious adoption of a new, single and comprehensive legal document which will establish a fair and effective international framework in which all major economies participate”, and the commencement of necessary works. During COP17, Japan contributed to the progress of the discussions by making a constructive proposal such as the establishment of a new working group.

Minister Hosono explained, in his statement in the High Level Segment, that Japanese Government and people continue to make utmost efforts on climate change issues in spite of the national crisis: the Great East Japan Earthquake. Furthermore, Japan announced such as “Japan’s Vision and Actions towards Low-Carbon Growth and a Climate-Resilient World” (Appendix 3) and proposed “African Green Growth Strategy – Towards Low Carbon Growth and Climate Resilient development (Draft Elements)” (Appendix 4) as one of its initiatives to tackle global warming. Japan also announced manifested that it will steadily implement 15 billion dollars Fast-start Finance pledged up to 2012.

3. Japan’s evaluation of the outcome of COP17

Japan welcomes the series of decisions adopted at COP17. This meeting has brought significant outcome, in line with Japan’s stance, such as clarifying the pathway to the establishment of a new legal framework in which all economies participate. In particular, it welcomes the establishment of the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform, which was based on the proposal made by Japan during COP17.

Concerning the operationalization of the Cancun Agreements, steady outcomes were achieved such as the basic architecture of the Green Climate Fund and the formulation of guidelines of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) for countries’ emission reduction measures.

Japan remains committed to make utmost efforts to arrest the global warming.