Saudi Arabia, Japan, Launch Initiative to Cooperate in Clean Energy

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Japan, Launch Initiative to Cooperate in Clean Energy

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Japan announced the establishment of the Manar initiative for cooperation in the field of clean energy.

The initiative seeks to align the aspirations of both countries in the field of clean energy and foster sustainable advanced materials, as well as ensure the flexibility and security of supply chains.

Saudi Arabia and Japan signed 26 agreements in several fields, on the sidelines of the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Kingdom.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit reiterated the Kingdom’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions and reach zero neutrality, benefiting from its strategic location on the global energy routes.

The statement also highlighted Japan’s endeavor to achieve zero neutrality, as a world leader in clean energy technology solutions.

The Manar initiative aims to highlight the leadership of Saudi Arabia and Japan in clean energy projects and sustainable advanced materials, in addition to ensuring the flexibility of supply chains. This initiative will reinforce Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to become a hub for clean energy, mineral resources, and energy component supply chains.

The initiative features a range of projects that drive the transition to clean energy, focusing on areas such as hydrogen and ammonia technologies, synthetic fuels, circular carbon economy and carbon recycling, direct air carbon (DAC) capture, and critical minerals essential for achieving resilience.

The two sides have affirmed their cooperation in promoting clean energy supply chains and mineral resources, by joining capabilities and common aspirations, and strengthening cooperation between companies and entities in both countries, to contribute to the expansion of the clean energy market, reduce costs and increase the flexibility of supply chains.



Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called on Monday for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that as democracies the two sides should be working together.

Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements.

For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a "like-minded" partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.

Speaking at a Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai said that facing the threat of expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan and the EU must form a "strong democratic umbrella" and build secure supply chains for global democracies.

"Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to take an innovative approach towards the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU," he said.

Such an agreement would set a sound institutional basis for further cooperation in fields such as semiconductors and AI, Lai added.

"This would not only make both our economies more resilient and secure, but also ensure the stable operation of global supply chains."

Taiwanese investment in EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which in August launched a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers.

Maria Martin-Prat, deputy head of the European Commission's directorate general for trade, made no mention of signing such a deal with Taiwan in a video message to the investment event, though she did praise bilateral relations.

"Taiwan, a vibrant democracy with an open economy, is a trusted partner for us to promote our economic security," she said.

Taiwan has few free trade agreements, though last year it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.