Japan-Senegal Relations
Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting
Salute and the guard of honor ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Leaders exchanging uniforms
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On December 13, commencing at around 6:15 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H. E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, who is visiting Japan to attend the UHC Forum 2017 at the invitation of Prime Minister Abe. The overview is as follows.
After the summit meeting, a signing of exchanges of notes concerning three grant aid projects totaling approximately 32 million USD for supporting stable electricity supply, promoting food security, and training health personnel was held in the presence of the two leaders. Following that the two leaders held a joint press occasion, and the Japan-Senegal Joint Statement (French (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF)) was issued.
Furthermore, at the joint press occasion, the two leaders exchanged soccer uniforms of their national teams, wishing both countries a success in the 2018 FIFA world cup. Both countries will play in the same group.
At a dinner meeting hosted by Prime Minister Abe that was held subsequently, the two leaders discussed a broad range of topics concerning the bilateral relationship. A birthday celebration was also held for President Sall, who turned 56 on December 11.
1. Opening remarks
- (1) Prime Minister Abe welcomed the visit to Japan by President Sall, who he meets frequently, including at international conferences, along with thanking the President for attending UHC Forum 2017. He also expressed his hope that, for the purpose of achieving universal health coverage (UHC), Senegal will share its knowledge and experience as a model country in Africa.
- (2) In response, President Sall expressed gratitude for Japan’s invitation and stated that he is happy to meet Prime Minister Abe again following the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, along with explaining his hope to further advance the already amicable bilateral relationship. In addition, President Sall explained UHC’s importance to Senegal, and the country’s initiatives. President Sall expressed thanks for Japan’s support in this field thus far.
2. Bilateral relations
- (1) The overview of Prime Minister Abe’s comments is as follows.
- i. Japan highly appreciates Senegal’s contributions to peace and stability in Africa. Japan attaches importance to its relationship with Senegal, which is a stable country in West Africa.
- ii. The economic potential of Senegal attracts Japanese companies, and Japan aims to conclude negotiations on the bilateral investment treaty with Senegal promptly.
- iii. Japan will cooperate to steadily implement a yen loan project, the Mamelles Sea Water Desalination Plant Construction Project, and will contribute to developing quality infrastructure through initiatives such as the public-private conference for infrastructure that is scheduled to be held in Dakar in January next year.
- iv. Japan decided to dispatch an experienced senior advisor of agricultural policy from Japan in order to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture field. In addition, Japan will also support human resources development through vocational training centers and the ABE Initiative.
- v. Japan is grateful for President Sall’s expression of support for Osaka’s candidature for hosting World Expo 2025.
- (2) In response, President Sall expressed gratitude for Japan’s support for Africa’s peace, stability and development, including by contributing to the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, and for a large number of fields in Senegal, such as health, agriculture, education and water. President Sall stated that the Japan-Senegal bilateral relationship is an exemplary bilateral relationship, and expressed expectation that Japanese companies will invest in Senegal in the future. President Sall also expressed support for Osaka City as a candidate to host World Expo 2025.
3. Regional affairs and cooperation in the international arena
With regard to North Korea, the two leaders confirmed their intention to maximize pressure on North Korea through the full implementation of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, along with sharing the view that the abductions issue needs to be resolved immediately. In addition, President Sall explained that Senegal is also opposed to nuclear test and all provocative actions, and pointed out that Japan and Senegal have been cooperating on this issue as members of the UNSC for the past two years and will cooperate in the future also. The two leaders also reconfirmed the importance of further advancing UNSC reform.