Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Relations
Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Working Lunch
April 29, 2024
On April 29, commencing at 10:30 a.m. (local time) (7:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 70 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Following the bilateral meeting, commencing at 1:10 p.m. (local time) (10:10 p.m. JST), Minister Kamikawa attended a working lunch hosted by Minister Adom. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa stated that she was pleased to visit Côte d'Ivoire as part of her first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa since assuming the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs, and that she was delighted that the economic relationship with Côte d'Ivoire has deepened year by year, as illustrated by the increase of the number of Japanese companies, with this year marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy of Japan in Côte d'Ivoire. Minister Kamikawa also expressed her desire to take bilateral relations to a new level with Minister Adom, who is knowledgeable about Japan, in anticipation of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August this year and TICAD 9 in August next year.
- In response, Minister Adom welcomed Minister Kamikawa's visit to Côte d'Ivoire and expressed his appreciation for Japan's support through projects with impacts in various fields such as economy, society or education in Côte d'Ivoire, and wished to further strengthen bilateral relations with Japan which is as a friendly country.
- Minister Kamikawa expressed her will to further strengthen bilateral relations in the economic field with Côte d'Ivoire which has a stable and favourable business environment through co-hosting of the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum and capacity-building of young ivorians, including utilizing “Japan Corner”, Center for the Promotion of Japanese Language and Studies in the Félix HouphouëtBoigny University. Minister Kamikawa also explained that, in order to support the political and economic stability of the Sahel region and coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, Japan is cooperating in border management in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as implementing wide-ranging projects that contribute to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. Furthermore, the Ministers affirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation on African and global issues, as well as common values such as the rule of law and democracy.
- The two Ministers also confirmed their cooperation in the international arena, including close collaboration on strengthening of the functions of the UN, including Security Council reform.