• Register Email Updates

• Advanced Search
• Help

Joint Declaration
On Enhanced Cooperation
In Environment and Climate Change Issues
Between Japan and the Republic of Guyana

Japanese

1. Recognizing that environment and climate change issues including global warming are challenges for the world as a whole;
   
   Convinced that such issues deserve joint efforts at regional and global levels and that such efforts will have great significance for the sustainable development of the regions concerned and the world at large; and
   
   In light of the commitments of "the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development" issued at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development;
   
   The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Guyana (hereinafter referred to as "Both Sides") shared the determination to further enhance mutual cooperation in environment and climate change issues.
2. Both Sides, in tackling environment and climate change issues including global warming, confirmed their intention to focus particularly on the following areas, as well as to remain firmly committed to and support the relevant international frameworks:
   • (1) Mitigation measures such as curbing greenhouse gas emissions by, inter alia, developing renewable sources of energy and conserving forests,
   • (2) Adaptation measures in such fields as water and sanitation, drainage and irrigation and disaster prevention including measures against sea-level rise,
   • (3) Biodiversity conservation.
3. Both Sides shared the view that Japan's expertise and experience could play a crucial role in addressing the above mentioned issues and that thus cooperation between the two countries would be indispensable. Both Sides also shared the view that such cooperation would serve not only the regions concerned but also the world at large. In addition, Both Sides recognized the need to deal with environmental issues within the context of entire economic policies including energy, industrial, and agricultural policies.
4. Having regard to the above, Both Sides identified the following priority areas for their future cooperation:
   • (1) Climate change
     The Japanese side elaborated on the new proposal "Cool Earth 50" announced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe consisting of three pillars and three principles which Japan and other nations of the world should adopt in tackling climate change issues, and the Guyana side expressed its general support for the proposal. Both Sides particularly shared the long-term target to cut global emissions by half from the current level by 2050 in order to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Both Sides are determined to take part in the establishment of an effective framework for addressing global warming beyond 2012 in which all the major emitters of the world should participate. In this context, the Japanese side welcomed the Guyanese Government's determination to participate in the establishment of such a framework and expressed its intention to cooperate with Guyana, in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's proposal, in its efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by building itself into a low-carbon society and in its adaptation measures to the sea-level rise and extreme weather events caused by climate change. Both Sides confirmed their intention to work together to realize "Cool Earth 50" in accordance with the three pillars and three principles, including by urging other countries such as CARICOM member states to join their effort.
   • (2) Sustainable forest management
     Both Sides recognized that the achievement of sustainable development goals is vital for effective responses to the problems of climate change. In this regard, Both Sides noted the critical importance of sustainable management of the Guyanese tropical forest, which is part of the Amazon Forest, in terms of, among others, prevention of greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity conservation. The Government of the Republic of Guyana appreciated the assistance extended by the Government of Japan for the promotion of the sustainable management of the Guyanese tropical forest through the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and expressed its expectation for continued support from Japan. The Government of Japan welcomed the efforts by the Government of the Republic of Guyana in this area, and expressed its intention to continue to support them.
   • (3) Water and sanitation
     Both Sides reaffirmed the significance of water and sanitation issues in Guyana, not just with regard to improvement in basic human needs but also in terms of adaptation to climate change.
     The Government of the Republic of Guyana highly appreciated the assistance provided by the Government of Japan in ensuring safe drinking water in Guyana, referring to the signature on the previous day of the Exchange of Notes of the Project for water supply in Corriverton in Guyana.

Tokyo, June 26, 2007