Message from the Prime Minister of Japan
H.E. Mr. Taro Aso
on the occasion of the 12th Session of the Assembly of the African Union
February 1, 2009
Chairperson of the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union,
Your Excellency, Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union,
Your Excellency, Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia,
Excellencies, Distinguished representatives from the Member States of the African Union,
Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.
Last year, Japan organized the fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) as well as the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. Both of these conferences were successful because of the level of cooperation shown by African nations. Specifically, the participants gathered there were able to agree on the priorities and the future direction of African development, and the views of African countries were reflected in discussions within international society. Once again, I am grateful for your cooperation.
The global situation is rapidly changing. It is expected that the global financial crisis and economic slowdown which took place in the latter half of the last year will inevitably affect many African countries in various ways. On the political front, coups and prolonged conflicts pose significant challenges to the consolidation of peace in Africa. We need to tackle these challenges with the utmost urgency. It is exactly because international society may now tend to focus on domestic issues and other regions that we need to maintain and further heighten the momentum of our support to Africa. I reiterated at the world economic forum in Davos our promise that Japan faithfully implements the commitments made at TICAD IV and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. I am also pleased to inform you that Japan organizes the TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana to take place on March 21-22, 2009. The meeting will review the progress of the commitments made at TICAD IV. I sincerely hope that many African leaders at the ministerial level could attend this meeting and follow-up the Yokohama Action Plan with other participants. Together, we can strengthen the TICAD process to reflect the current situation international society faces. At the same time, this Ministerial Follow-up Meeting will serve as a venue to put the voices of Africa together on the global economic crisis and present these voices to the G20 Summit Meeting to be held in London this April.
This AU Summit is held under the theme of "Infrastructure Development in Africa." At TICAD IV, we called Africa "the Continent of Hope and Opportunity" and pledged to assist Africa to make the 21st century a "century of African growth". Infrastructure development is precisely the key to the realization of "the century of African growth." Japan is willing to actively support Africa's efforts to develop the infrastructure necessary for achieving growth. At TICAD IV, Japan pledged to double its ODA to Africa by 2012 and to provide yen loans up to $ 4 billion with special emphasis on infrastructure. During the fiscal year 2008, Japan already concluded exchange of notes for 11 transport and electricity infrastructure projects in 10 countries (worth 13 billion yen). Japan also supports setting up One Stop Boarder Posts in three areas. My government will continue to strengthen its support on this front.
Lastly, I would like to note that Japan has recently become a member of the UN Security Council starting this year. Japan is committed to actively working to realize peace and security in Africa, by listening to the voices of African people themselves.
I wish you good health and success at this AU Summit meeting.
Prime Minister of Japan
Taro ASO
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