PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Japanese prime minister Kishida Fumio reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation on energy security and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, as global instability continued to disrupt supply chains.
Kishida, who is now supreme adviser to the Parliamentary Association of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), paid a courtesy call on the president in Malacañang on Thursday.
Marcos said Kishida’s visit underscored the importance of sustained cooperation with Japan in the face of global energy uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“I understand that you are here to promote AZEC, a very important initiative, especially at this time. It was already very important before, but it has become especially pressing and critical with all of the events that are transpiring in the Middle East and the effects that it has had on the entire energy system of the world,” he said.
The president said energy supply disruptions highlighted the urgency to step up the country’s shift toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.
“We hope that we can continue our work in moving our countries away from fossil fuels and absorb more of the renewables technology that we have been trying to shift to,” he added.
The president also expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued support, particularly its commitment to honor and maintain existing supply contracts for various fuels.
Marcos expressed hope that tensions in the Middle East would ease soon, citing the Philippines’ vulnerability, given the presence of around 2.5 million overseas Filipino workers in the region
Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to advancing the initiative of AZEC, which he proposed in 2022 to push regional decarbonization and energy cooperation across Southeast Asia and the broader Asian region.
He thanked Marcos for participating in the AZEC Plus Online Summit last April 15, and emphasized the importance of strengthening economic and energy resilience with the Philippines.
Kishida also conveyed the intention of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to work closely with President Marcos particularly on the Philippines’ hosting of the 4th AZEC Leaders’ Meeting in November.
He said Takaichi hoped to advance joint leadership with the Philippines in promoting zero-emission initiatives.
Kishida, who is in the Philippines from April 30 to May 2 as special envoy of the prime minister, will participate in high-level talks focused on advancing AZEC initiatives.
His visit follows the announcement of Japan’s $10-billion energy cooperation framework, Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (Powerr Asia), during the recent AZEC Plus Online Summit.
Present during Kishida’s call were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Andrelita Austria.
Kishida was joined by members of Japan’s House of Representatives and House of Councilors, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and key AZEC representatives.
Kishida also handed over a letter from Takaichi to Marcos stating Takaichi’s “desire” for closer Philippine-Japan cooperation on energy resiliency under the Powerr Asia.
He told reporters he also expects that the Philippines will be one of the first countries to receive the assistance or the support from Powerr Asia.
The $10-billion Powerr Asia is a procurement and cooperation scheme aimed at supporting states in strengthening their energy supply.
Japan envisions AZEC to create a new decarbonization market in Asia to attract capital from around the world.
Kishida said AZEC is looking to “actually optimize” the platform to fit each of its 11-member countries’ needs against the backdrop of the Middle East crisis that has disrupted the global energy market.
He said there are at least 30 initiatives on renewable energy, biotechnology and liquefied natural gas in the Philippines “steadily progressing” through various public and private investments under AZEC.
Garin reaffirmed Manila’s full support for AZEC and Japan’s vision of advancing the platform as a tool to ensure energy resilience in Asia.
