Chairman Kobayashi’s Comments on the G7 Summit
in Cornwall, United Kingdom

June 14, 2021

I am delighted that the leaders of the G7 nations were once again able to unite after a two-year absence. Their latest summit in Cornwall has reassured us that they continue to embrace common values of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and human rights. The joint statement covers several issues of worldwide significance, including economic recoveries, COVID-19, climate change, free trade, advanced technologies and geopolitics, and I welcome the positive messaging on all points.

During the summit, the member nations agreed to donate one billion vaccine doses to poorer nations. Along with the commencement of worldwide vaccine production and distribution, this is an important step towards international cooperation to save lives and end the pandemic by 2022.

It is equally admirable that the G7 nations have drawn up 2050 carbon-neutrality targets ahead of COP26, which is to be held in November of this year. Each nation has pledged to dramatically decarbonize its power grid by the 2030s.

In addition to supporting Japan’s measures to combat COVID-19 infections and initiatives to tackle climate change, JFTC members are committed to conducting their businesses in ways that will contribute to the development of sustainable supply chains, the maintenance and expansion of fair and free trade, and the transition to carbon-free societies.