Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has met with the president of the United Arab Emirates.

Kishida and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan released a joint declaration that includes cooperation regarding decarbonization.

As the talks started Monday morning, Kishida said Japan highly values its relations with the UAE, a country that he describes as a strategic partner. He also said he wants to establish a closer personal relationship with the president.

The UAE has been promoting wider use of next-generation energy sources. It holds the presidency of the UN climate change conference known as COP 28, which opens in late November.
Details of the talks have yet to be announced. Kishida is believed to have called for a continued stable supply of oil from the Emirates as Japan relies on them for nearly 40 percent of its crude imports.

Kishida is also believed to have offered support for the UAE's industrial diversification with Japan's advanced technology in fields such as space, artificial intelligence and health care.

He is also believed to have sought closer diplomatic and security ties with the UAE, which, like Japan, is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The two countries signed an agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology earlier this year.