Arab News Japan
DUBAI: As the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8) in Tunis came to a close, Japan Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio said Japan will contribute to the growth and development in Africa.
The conference adopted the TICAD 8 Tunis Declaration, Kishida said, adding that “through this TICAD 8 meeting we were able to feel the vitality of Africa, a continent where we look forward to dynamic growth, very keenly.”
On Sunday, Kishida also attended the Joint Press Conference of TICAD 8 by video conference and explained that it is important for Japan and Africa to grow together.
He also gave a speech for the fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Award Ceremony, in which he said his goal was to improve health and welfare in Africa.
Throughout the two-day conference, Japan’s PM virtually met various African leaders and discussed with them the different ways the continent can further develop its resources and boost its economy.
Kishida spoke to his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly and confirmed their joint cooperation on the Suez Canal Economic Zone. They also discussed expanding Japanese-style education systems for students from Africa.
Japan-Egypt Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇪🇬
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida & PM Madbouly confirmed to cooperate on Suez Canal Economic Zone, continuation & expansion of accepting doctoral & other students from Africa to E-JUST, Japanese-style ed development, etc.
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In a video summit meeting with Libyan President Mohamed al-Menfi, Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s support for Libya’s nation building efforts. The PM added that stability in Libya is essential for the stability and development of the Middle East and African region, and Japan supports the process of inclusive political dialogue among all Libyans.
Japan-Libya Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇱🇾
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida thanked President Menfi for his participation & stated that Japan supports inclusive political dialogue process among all Libyans & will continue to support Libya's nation building efforts.
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Speaking for 50-minutes with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Kishida said he hoped to make TICAD 8 a success. He also stated that Japan will closely follow the upcoming Tunisian national elections in December. The two leaders exchanged views on regional situations as well as international issues such as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Japan-Tunisia Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇹🇳
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 26, 2022
PM Kishida stated that Japan is following closely political & economic reforms Tunisia is undertaking & expecting National Elections in Dec. to be held in an appropriate manner w/broad public support.
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Djibouti’s Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed spoke with Kishida on Sunday, agreeing to further deepen their cooperation in order to stabilize the region. Prime Minister Abdoulkader, expressed his condolence to former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo and conveyed his appreciation for Japan’s extensive support for the development of Djibouti.
Japan-Djibouti Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇩🇯
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida stated that Japan intends to deepen cooperation to stabilize the region through the recently appointed Ambassador, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.
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Japan’s PM held a video meeting with South Sudan’s Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany and said the Asian country was closely following the extension of the deadline for the implementation of the peace agreement with great interest. He added that stronger efforts were needed on the part of the country’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Video Meeting w/Vice President of South Sudan🇯🇵🇸🇸
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida said Japan is closely following the deadline extension for the peace agreement implementation w/great interest & further active efforts are needed on the part of President Kiir.
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In his 25-minute meeting with Tanzania’s Prime Minister Majaliwa Kassim MAJALIWA, Kishida stated that Japan hopes to work closely with Tanzania to maintain smooth bilateral cooperation.
Japan-Tanzania Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇹🇿
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida stated that Japan intends to support Tanzania, a key junction of trade in East Africa, including the field of fisheries, and welcomed the signing of the long-awaited cooperative projects.
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Macky SALL, President of the Republic of Senegal, spoke with Kishida on Sunday and said that he highly appreciated Japan’s contribution through TICAD, while welcoming the second TICAD in Africa.
Japan-Senegal Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇸🇳
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida told President Sall, AU chair, that he regretted he not being able to participate in the meeting in person, but that he hoped to lead TICAD 8 to a success with President Sall's cooperation.
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In another video conference with AZALI Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, Kishida that the country, located at a key junction in the Indian Ocean, is essential in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He also said that Japan will implement a project to improve nutrition for infants in Comoros.
Japan-Comoros Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇰🇲
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 26, 2022
PM Kishida stated that Comoros is essential in realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and that Japan is implementing a project on nutrition improvement for infants in Comoros.
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On Saturday, Kishida and Jean-Michel SAMA LUKONDE KYENGE, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, discussed efforts efforts to stabilize the eastern DRC through assistance for institutional building and human resource development for the consolidation of peace. They also agreed on cooperation in terms of climate change measures.
Japan-DRC Video Summit Meeting🇯🇵🇨🇩
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 26, 2022
PM Kishida stated that Japan supports efforts to stabilize the eastern DRC through assistance for institutional building and human resource development for the consolidation of peace.
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Kishida also agreed to develop Japan’s relationship with the African Union Commission (AUC) in a video conference with the AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Video Meeting with AUC Chairperson🤝
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) August 28, 2022
PM Kishida spoke highly of the AU's efforts under Agenda 2063 to promote peace & stability, counter COVID-19 & boost economic recovery & expressed his hope to further develop the Japan-AUC relationship.
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