Japan and the United Nations
Telephone Talk between Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
On October 27, commencing just around 8:45 a.m. for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone talk with H. E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The overview of the talk is as follows.
1. At the outset, Prime Minister Suga stated that he had declared that Japan will aim to realize a decarbonized society by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero as a whole by 2050 in his Policy Speech to the 203rd extraordinary Session of the Diet. Prime Minister Suga also announced that Japan will participate in the Climate Ambition Alliance, which is promoted by Secretary-General Guterres. In return, Secretary-General Guterres stated that he sincerely welcomes, highly appreciates, and fully supports the courageous decision presented in the speech.
2. Prime Minister Suga stated that towards COP26, Japan intends to accelerate the "virtuous cycle of environment and growth" through innovation, and to continue to lead the international community in order to realize the decarbonized society in line with the Paris Agreement. Secretary-General Guterres expressed his reassurance and appreciation for Japan’s leadership.
3. In addition, Prime Minister Suga stated that human security is threatened by COVID-19 and that Japan will continue to cooperate with the UN to promote Universal Health Coverage and to support global response to COVID-19. They confirmed that they continue to work together.