Message to COP6 by Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan

November 15, 2000

The start of the Sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP6) at the Hague, the Netherlands, is an important landmark in the formulation of the major rules to govern the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in Kyoto, Japan, three years ago. Our ability to undertake the implementation of the Protocol rests on the outcome of this most important conference.

The Government of Japan believes that the Kyoto Protocol should enter into force by 2002, the year of "Rio+10", in order to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and thereby mitigate global warming. It believes that the leaders of each country have the responsibility to bring about a successful conclusion to COP6, not only for the sake of the current generation, but also for the sake of generations to come.

Accordingly, I have been in touch with several heads of state, asking for their help in approaching the issues at hand with flexibility and with the spirit of cooperation that will bring about the success of this meeting.

Japan has shown great initiative as a leader through its measures, breaking new ground in its steps to mitigate climate change with the passage of its Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming and the revision of its Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, among other efforts. It has also redoubled its efforts to assist developing countries. These initiatives will serve as a springboard for even greater future efforts to promote climate change mitigation measures.

In order to achieve successful results at COP6, it is essential for the Parties to approach the negotiating table with a spirit of compromise, drawing out consensus from the negotiations and enabling the implementation of the Protocol. Japan intends to make every possible contribution towards the reaching of consensus. I call on the heads of state of every nation to show their best initiative for the success of this important conference.

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