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Appointment of a Permanent Representative of the Government of Japan to the African Union (AU)

June 24, 2005

1. At the Cabinet Meeting on June 24, the Government of Japan decided to appoint Mr. Kenjiro Izumi, Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ethiopia, as the first permanent representative of the Government of Japan to the African Union (AU).
2. The AU is an international organization with a membership of 53 countries and region. It was established in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in July 2002 with the objective of achieving greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and peoples of Africa. The importance of the AU as the core of African unity has been increasing rapidly as it has been achieving steady institutional development, including the establishment of the Assembly, Executive Council, Pan-African Parliament, Peace and Security Council, Commission (secretariat), and Economic, Social and Cultural Council, while being active in its operations in such fields as peace and security and economic and social development.
3. Taking into account such growing importance of the AU, the Government of Japan considers a closer relationship with the organization as one of the most important parts of its diplomacy vis-à-vis Africa. For Japan to appoint its permanent representative to the AU has a considerable significance not only from the practical aspect of making its relations with the AU yet smoother, but also in what it symbolizes.
4. From these perspectives, the Government of Japan has decided to appoint Ambassador Izumi as its permanent representative to the AU, and it is expected that the appointment will further strengthen the relationship between Japan and the AU.

Related Information (African Union)