The Group of Eight science and technology ministers agreed Sunday to promote cooperation between their countries as well as with developing nations to address global issues such as climate change and sustainable development from a technological standpoint.
The one-day meeting was chaired by Fumio Kishida, Japan's state minister in charge of science and technology policy, who expressed hope that the talks will contribute to the success of the G8 summit in July in Hokkaido.
Kishida told a press conference after wrapping up the meeting that the participants acknowledged the importance of technological innovation in bringing about a low-carbon society and agreed to reinforce research and development in that field in each country involved and to exchange information.