JST Paris Office

A joint seminar was organized by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and its collaborators, Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA, Arab World Institute) and Maison de la Culture du Japon a Paris (MCJP). This scientific, cultural and historical meeting was entitled: ≪ Capacity Development for Advanced Technology through On-site Collaboration: Examples in the North African Countries Focusing on Solar Energy, Water and Bio-Resources ≫.

This seminar included multiple visions for sustainable development of the North African countries where their natural conditions were quite severe for the economic development. To find solutions for those issues through advanced science and technology, three themes were proposed such as “Solar energy development in Sahara”, “Valorization of bio-resources in arid land” and “Water saving irrigation and its control in the Nile basin”, which were based on on-site research trials, “SATREPS”, Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development, in three North African countries, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia.

Dr. Sawako TAKEUCHI, President, Maison de la Culture du Japon a Paris, Monsieur Hitoshi SHOJI, Chief Representative, JICA France Office and Dr. Francois ZABBAL, Institut du Monde Arabe, led the discussions by sharing common concerns ≪ harmonization between nature and human activities≫, ≪human resources development≫ and ≪ discovering know-how by taking lessons from the past”. Moreover the speakers exchanged opinions by posing questions: “How can we cultivate a mutual understanding by respecting cultural differences between the North African countries and Japan?” as well as “How can we establish a win-win relationship?”

This lively debate was concluded by Mr. SHOJI, one of the chairs, who confirmed that the North African countries required advanced science, technology and innovations. He also mentioned that Japan has contributed to transferring adaptable technology and accumulated know-how, which has met with those needs from recipient countries and target regions, through technical cooperation. Furthermore, he emphasized that the research partnership between the North African countries and Japan contributed to better mutual understanding, capacity development and sustainable relationship.

Following the conclusion, Mr. Masayuki SATO, Director for Special Mission, JST, presented his perspectives of SATREPS from his experience in program management. Finally, the seminar was closed with the closing remarks by Dr. Takayoshi MAMINE, Executive Director, JST and Dr. TAKEUCHI, President of MCJP.

Dr.Kikuko SAKAI

Links:

SATREPS in the North African countries

• Sahara Solar Energy Research Center (SSERC)
• Valorization of Bio-resources in Semi-Arid and Arid Land for Regional Development
• Sustainable Systems for Food and Bio-energy Production with Water-saving Irrigation in the Egyptian Nile Basin

SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) web site:SATREPS

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Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and its collaborators, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Maison de la Culture du Japon a Paris (MCJP) organized a joint seminar, ≪Perspectives on Challenges in the Global Energy/Environmental Landscape: How Research Partnership between Japan and Asia Can Contribute to Secure and Sustainable Energy Future ≫.

This seminar included multiple aspects for sustainable energy management through regional and international programs. In this scientific meeting, three themes were proposed: “Policy making approach for low carbon society”, “Lessons from the application of low carbon technology” and “Perspectives for low carbon society”. The scientists discussed the latest advance as well as future prospects for sustainable management of energy resources.

The seminar was opened by two opening remarks. The first was presented by Mr. Motohide YOSHIKAWA, Japanese Ambassador to the OECD and Vice-Chair of the Governing Board of the IEA, and the second was stated by Mr. Fatih BIROL, Chief Economist/Director, Office of the Chief Economist, IEA. Then the keynote lectures were delivered Mr. Shinichi KIHARA, Senior Energy Analyst, IEA, and Dr. Kotaro INOUE, Principal Fellow/Program Officer, JST. Mr. KIHARA interpreted “World Energy Outlook” by raising global energy issues from the aspects of international policy and management. Dr. INOUE emphasized the importance of research collaboration in the field of energy and environment to achieve sustainable development in Asian countries.

Considering three themes of this seminar, “Policy making”, “Lessons” and “Perspectives”, scientists from the JST side presented their approaches and recommendations to achieve low carbon society through research collaboration between Asia and Japan. This research collaboration is based on one of JST Programs, SATREPS, Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development. Moreover, Dr. Koichi YAMADA, Deputy Director-General, Center for Low Carbon Society Strategy of JST, explained challenges and measures to adopt Japanese low-carbon technology to the international society.

Finally the seminar concluded with a major debate chaired by Dr. Yuko HARAYAMA, Deputy Director, Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, OECD. The scientists discussed sustainable energy security and management for the purpose of establishing low carbon society under regional and international strategies.

Dr. Kikuko SAKAI

Links:

SATREPS projects for low carbon society in Asian countries

• Development of Low Carbon Society Scenarios for Asian Regions (a project in Malaysia)
• Research Partnership for the Application of Low Carbon Technology in India
• Wild Fire and Carbon Management in Peat-forest in Indonesia

SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) web site:SATREPS

Center for Low Carbon Society Strategy of JST (LCS) web site: LCS

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