The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Yoshio Mochizuki, Minister of Environment of Japan, on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The Secretary-General praised Japan’s leadership on the issue of climate change, as evidenced through its recent significant pledge to the Green Climate Fund. He expressed hope that this pledge, together with those by the United States and others, will encourage other countries to follow suit.

He also noted that in spite of the hardships that Japan has suffered as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, the country has shown its continued commitment to resilience, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Secretary-General underlined how Japan’s support and leadership will be vital in building political momentum for a universal, meaningful agreement in Paris in 2015.