Ministers from Japan, Australia and Southeast Asian countries have agreed to work together to achieve decarbonization by making use of hydrogen and ammonia that do not emit carbon dioxide when burned.

The first ministerial meeting of the 11-member Asia Zero Emission Community, or AZEC, took place in Tokyo on Saturday.

Asian nations emit about 60 percent of global CO2 emissions. Their energy consumption has been increasing as their economies have developed.

The countries acknowledge that they need to achieve decarbonization without harming their economic growth.

In a joint statement, the AZEC ministers pointed to the need to achieve both a shift from fossil fuels to new energy sources and economic growth.

They stressed the importance of utilizing various energy sources and technologies depending on the industrial structure and geographical conditions of each country.

The Asian nations agreed to cooperate in efforts to develop technology for hydrogen and ammonia and create businesses at the same time.

Japan pledged to provide financial support to help build necessary infrastructure.

Japan, as the chair of the Group of Seven summit to be held in Hiroshima in May, aims to take the initiative in discussions related to decarbonization, and to promote its technology across Asia.