Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa met Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, on Tuesday and agreed to work closely on helping development in Africa and to make the upcoming 8^th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) a success.

Minister HAYASHI welcomed the 2022 special report on human security released by the UNDP in February of this year, and stated his intention to continue to cooperate closely with the UNDP on initiatives toward addressing global challenges such as Universal Health Coverage and climate change.

Steiner expressed his condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and stated his determination to further promote cooperation with Japan, including the implementation of the special report on human security and cooperation towards TICAD 8.

HAYASHI stated that Japan will strongly support African-led development and chart a course for sustainable African development in all areas: economic, social, peace and stability. Administrator Steiner responded by saying that the UNDP would like to further strengthen cooperation with Japan in this area.