The 5th edition of the Japan-Arab Economic Forum: new partnerships and cooperation in key sectors.

Officials from Japan and the Arab League are currently in discussions here to establish new economic partnerships and strengthen existing agreements in sectors such as energy and healthcare

The 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum kicked off in Tokyo on Tuesday and will conclude on July 11. Previous forum meetings were held in 2009, 2013, 2010, and 2016.

On Wednesday, officials participated in a “Public-Private Economic Conference,” which included Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito.

Nobuyuki Nakajima, Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) based in Dubai, delivered the opening remarks.

Saito stated, “The world is now at a major turning point. In addition to the increasing complexity of the international situation, Japan and Arab countries are important partners with a basis in historical friendly relations, addressing global issues such as deoxygenation, energy, water, and poverty.

“Now is the time for us to leverage each other’s strengths while tackling these global challenges.”

He mentioned Japan aims to achieve growth in both Japan and the Arab world through solving social problems and strengthening new partnerships.

“The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has secured a $1 billion budget for developing a flagship project symbolizing cooperation with Global South countries,” he said.

“Specific projects like decarbonization, digital, and healthcare are already underway. The purpose of the Japan-Arab Economic Forum is to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity between Japan and Arab countries through cooperation across a wide range of fields.”

Other participants included Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, head of the economic affairs sector of the Arab League, Dr. Saleh A. Al-Kharabsheh from Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and Dr. Khaled Hanafi, secretary-general of the Union of Arab Chambers.

In the subsequent session on “Expanding Mutual Investment,” the keynote address was delivered by Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League.

The session featured Kazushige Tanaka, deputy director-general for trade and economic cooperation from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Wissam Hassan Fattouh, secretary-general of the Union of Arab Banks.

The afternoon session focused on climate change, covering discussions on green products, water, waste management, hydrogen, and ammonia.

Participants included Ibrahim Al-Dakhiri, director-general of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, and Dr. Salem Hamidi, director-general of the Arab Atomic Energy Authority.

A later session on new technologies featured Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail, president of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and Dr. Walid El-Hennawy, assistant secretary-general of the Arab Tourism Organization.

The day’s meetings concluded with closing remarks by JETRO’s Chairman Norihiko Ishiguro.