These four nations plus the United States represent about half of the world’s energy consumption.  A strategic focus of the trip will be to find common ground on improving our energy security through increasing the supply of diverse energy resources and employing more energy efficient measures.

“In order to sustain the economic growth and prosperity of the United States and Asia-Pacific nations, energy will play an increasingly critical role,” Secretary Bodman said.  “I look forward to meeting with my counterparts in Asia to discuss the promise of new sources of energy and new technologies in meeting the challenges of the global energy market.”

Japan

On December 12, 2006 Secretary Bodman will begin his five-day trip to Asia in Japan and meet with Japanese government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to discuss our joint efforts in advancing science and technology, energy security, and nonproliferation.  Secretary Bodman will also meet with U.S. business leaders and later tour the TEPCO Electric Energy Museum.  TEPCO supplies Tokyo and its vicinity with clean energy from thermal electric, nuclear, and hydroelectric production.

“Japan is a key international partner of the United States in advancing our common energy security objectives,” Secretary Bodman said.  “My visit to Tokyo will provide an opportunity to strengthen our ties in advancing science and technology partnerships in carbon sequestration, nuclear, and hydrogen and meeting the growing demand for energy in our countries through active participation in global energy markets."

Korea

Secretary Bodman will then stop in Korea on December 13, where he will meet with Korean government officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy.  Secretary Bodman will highlight our cooperation on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and FutureGen initiatives as well as joint efforts to advance energy security in the region.  Secretary Bodman will also participate in an event to highlight clean energy use in Seoul with U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

“South Korea and the United States are allies in advancing the use of cleaner, safer, and healthier clean energy technologies,” Secretary Bodman said.  “To advance our energy security and economic growth, we must continue our joint efforts to develop and deploy new technologies, diversify our energy supplies and suppliers beyond petroleum based sources, and encourage an open and transparent investment climate in the Asia-Pacific region.”

China

In China Secretary Bodman will participate in the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) on December 14-15 aimed at furthering the U.S.-China bilateral economic relationship.  U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is leading the U.S. Delegation to Beijing following the announcement of the SED earlier this fall by President Bush and Chinese President Hu.  Secretary Bodman will lead a discussion on the role of energy security in sustainable economic development, the benefits of full and consistent participation in global energy markets, and the importance of joint efforts to develop and deploy new clean energy technologies.  During his visit, Secretary Bodman will also meet with senior Chinese government officials.

“As the economies of our nations continue to flourish, the United States and China must encourage full and consistent participation in global markets to meet the growing demand for energy in our countries,” Secretary Bodman said.  “Our cooperative efforts to secure energy security will pave the way for economic growth so vital to our future prosperity."

Following the SED Secretary Bodman will participate in the Five-Party Energy Ministerial with China, India, Japan and South Korea.  In the sessions, Secretary Bodman will stress the importance of market principles and encourage the nations to work together to promote a stable and transparent investment climate in resource-rich nations.  At the Ministerial, Secretary Bodman will also highlight the importance of diversification of supplies and suppliers, improved energy efficiency, and the use of strategic oil reserves.

“Through the Five-Party Ministerial, the United States and Asia-Pacific nations of Japan, Korea, China, and India must build on initiatives to advance science and technology and foster investment in the development of clean energy sources,” Secretary Bodman said.  “I look forward to discussing with my counterparts the importance of strategic oil reserves as a key resource for severe supply disruptions that can and have been used to benefit the global market leading to the long term global energy security of our nations."