Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Passage of the Bill to Ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the Russian State Duma

October 22, 2004

Japan welcomes the passage of the Bill to Ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the State Duma (the Lower House) of the Russian Federation October 22 (Fri).
As the chair of the Third Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 3) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Kyoto in 1997, Japan contributed to the formation of the Protocol, and has actively participated in the negotiations on the details of the implementation of the Protocol, thus facilitating agreement on the prevention of global warming. Japan has also been approaching Russia on this issue including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's request to President Vladimir Putin to ratify the Protocol without delay. Japan continues to aim at the early entry into force of the Protocol and hopes that Russia will complete the ratification process of the Kyoto Protocol in a timely manner, including the deliberations of the bill in the Council of Federation (the Upper House).
To ensure the effectiveness of actions against global warming, it is vital that all countries should strive for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Government of Japan will cooperate with other countries to establish a set of common rules, in which all countries including the United States and developing countries will participate.

(note) Ratification process in Russia

(1)	The Government decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on 30 September. The ratification bill was sent to the State Duma on 7 October, and has been discussed mainly in the Committee on Environment and the Committee on International Affairs.
(2)	According to the Russian constitution, the ratification bill will be sent to the Council of Federation within 5 days after its passage in the State Duma, in order for the Council to decide whether it supports the bill or not.
(3)	Also according to the Russian constitution, after the approval by the Council of Federation, the bill will be sent to the President for his signature and promulgation within 14 days.
(4)	The instrument of ratification will be deposited to the United Nation Secretary General. The Kyoto Protocol will enter into force 90 days after the depository.

(END)