New South Wales and Tokyo expand partnership to include hydrogen

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) and Japan’s capital Tokyo have signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) that center on topics such as clean economy transition and hydrogen.

According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the first MoU marks a renewed commitment to progress and strengthening of ties in education, sports and sustainable city planning, and encompasses new areas of commitment around the clean economy transition and livability, while the second MoU aims to further enhance collaboration around the energy transition, focusing on hydrogen.

The MoUs, signed in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the New South Wales–Tokyo Sister State Agreement, solidify a continued partnership between the parties, noted the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Tokyo, one which is underpinned by shared values and a long history of cooperation. Our Sister State Agreement was first signed in 1984 by then–Premier Neville Wran, and to this day is one of our state’s longest-standing and most highly regarded partnerships. Signing an updated MoU today signifies our commitment to renewed areas of cooperation and to our ongoing collaboration with one of our largest Indo-Pacific partners.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe stated: “Global competition for hydrogen market share, supply chains and expertise continues to grow and we need to make sure New South Wales is at the forefront of discussions and opportunities. This partnership will open doors for bilateral investment opportunities and further enhance New South Wales’ position as a growing hydrogen leader.”

Governor of Tokyo Koike Yuriko commented: “Since the establishment of a friendship state relationship in 1984, New South Wales and Tokyo have engaged in cooperation and exchange in various areas… All of the exchange and interaction that has taken place between our states thus far is bearing fruit in the form of today’s MoU. And, I look forward to the further development of our relationship with New South Wales.”

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