Japan to Send Observers to the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU Summit)

January 24, 2007

Mr. Kinichi Komano, Ambassador to Ethiopia (Permanent Representative to AU), and Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in Charge of Peace Building in Africa and Special Envoy for UN Reform, will attend the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU Summit) to be held on January 29 (Mon) and 30 (Tue) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as observers from the Government of Japan.
The Summit, which will be attended by the leaders of 53 African countries/region, will deal with various issues including science and technology, climate change in Africa, peace and stability issues including situations in Somalia and Sudan, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
The Japanese observers will meet African leaders attending the Summit to exchange views on issues such as bilateral relations, situations in Africa, Japan's policy on cooperation for Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, and cooperation between Japan and Africa in international arenas, including cooperation at the United Nations for the reform of its Security Council.

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