Results of the 11th Meeting of the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Committee on Environmental Cooperation

June 20, 2008

The 11th Meeting of the Japan-ROK Joint Committee on Environmental Cooperation was held in Tokyo on Friday, June 20.
Mr. Kazuhide Ishikawa, Deputy Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Japanese delegation and Mr. Kwon Hae-ryong, Deputy Director-General, International Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade led the ROK delegation. Officials of the relevant ministries from both sides participated in the committee meeting.
This committee meeting was held as a follow up to the joint press release which was issued at the Japan-ROK summit meeting on April 21. Both sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between Japan and the ROK on bilateral and global issues in the field of environment.
With respect to the climate change issue, both parties shared same recognition on the necessity for international cooperation and the Japanese side stated that it expected the ROK’s proactive participation in establishing an effective framework after the year 2013.
Both sides also had a meaningful exchange of views on ways to strengthen cooperation on trans-boundary air pollution issues including the yellow sand phenomenon and combating the problem of marine waste including disposed plastic water tanks in the ocean, as well as ways to further promote cooperation on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) in order to protect “Clean Air and Clean Bountiful Sea” together in accordance with the joint press release of April 21.

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