[Title] Statement from Mr Tetsuro Fukuyama, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference hosted by Norway

(Opening Remarks)

I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to His Excellency Mr Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway, and the Government of Norway for their leadership in efforts to tackle climate change, including hosting this conference. Forest conservation, particularly REDD+, is one of the most effective measures for mitigating the impact of climate change, an issue which requires urgent action. In implementing REDD+, strengthening assistance and actions under this partnership as well as reaching of agreement through negotiations under UNFCCC are equally indispensable. Japan is determined to contribute actively on this issue.

(Japan's record concerning REDD+)

As part of the Hatoyama Initiative's fast-start financing worth 15 billion US dollars announced at COP 15, Japan committed to providing 500 million US dollars for this area. As of the end of May, 160 million US dollars has been materialized in bilateral assistance projects. Forest monitoring is particularly important in order to formulate national plans and establish MRV mechanisms. Japan will continue to provide support based on the hands-on approach, fully respecting the ownership of developing countries.

(The significance of a new partnership)

REDD+ needs continuous efforts for a term of ten, twenty or more years. In addition, conservation efforts must be promoted carefully, fully taking account of the linkage between the sustainable development of forest areas, the preservation of biological diversity and the traditional ways of life of indigenous people.

(Ministerial Meeting on forest conservation cooperation and climate change)

The newly-agreed partnership is a significant step for the international community to tackle REDD+ in a coordinated way. It is important that, based on this partnership, concrete actions should be steadily realized in developing countries. An agreement on REDD+ under a new, post-2012 framework should be achieved, building on such actions. From that viewpoint, Japan will host the Ministerial Meeting on Forest Conservation Cooperation and Climate Change in October, using the occasion of the COP 10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This meeting is aimed at following up the outcome of the Conference today and encouraging the negotiations towards COP 16. I look forward to hearing the voices of developing countries on their determination to step up their efforts concerning REDD+.

(Copenhagen Accord)

At the same time, REDD+ cannot take full effect without an agreement on a new post-2012 framework. We should aim for the speedy adoption of a single comprehensive legally-binding document, in order to establish a fair and effective international framework in which all major countries can participate. In this sense, the fact that the Copenhagen Accord produced an agreement on the establishment of REDD+ mechanisms is remarkable. I urge those countries that have not yet submitted their support for the Accord to do so as soon as possible.

In this connection, I would like to share the outcome of the TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting held in Tanzania in early May, where the foreign ministers of Japan and 42 African states gathered. On that occasion, the ministers agreed to enhance their support for REDD+. They also issued a joint communiqu? pointing out the importance to adopt a new and comprehensive legally-binding document as soon as possible.

(Conclusion)

Before concluding, may I express again my gratitude to Norway for its contribution to the establishment of the partnership at this Conference and voice my respect for the efforts of all the other relevant parties. As one of the REDD+ chair countries, Japan will work on the preparations for the Nagoya meeting in October, in close cooperation with the governments and other partners. I should like to ask for good cooperation from all of you here.

Thank you.