NDO/VNA - Japan and Thailand on January 13 agreed to launch a new energy policy dialogue and implement joint projects to promote decarbonisation, as the two countries aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, its Minister Koichi Hagiuda and his Thai counterpart Supattanapong Punmeechaow signed a memorandum for the new initiatives during their talks in Bangkok, the last stop during the Japanese minister's trip to Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Singapore.

Under the dialogue framework, a comprehensive long-term programme will be launched along with joint projects to be carried out through cooperation in green technology and human resources to help promote investment in the energy sector.

Earlier this year, Japan outlined its "Asia Energy Transition Initiative," under which it promised to give 10 billion USD in financial support to Thailand and other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for renewable energy, energy efficiency, LNG and other projects that are expected to create new jobs and investment.

The Japanese government said its energy dialogue with Thailand underscores the importance of global energy transition, while aiming to provide opportunities for energy trade and investment in the two countries.