Japan-Zambia Relations
Japan-Zambia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
On April 30, commencing at noon local time (7:00 p.m. on April 30, Japan time) for 45 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Zambia, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with Honourable Mulambo Hamakuni HAIMBE, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia and subsequently, commencing at 1:10 p.m. local time (8:10 p.m. on April 30, Japan time) for 50 minutes, held a working lunch.
1. Introduction
At the outset, Minister Haimbe expressed his welcome for Minister MOTEGI’s visit and his expectations to further develop the long-standing friendly bilateral relations. In response, Minister MOTEGI stated that he was pleased to visit Zambia, a long-standing friend of Japan, as Japan’s Foreign Minister for the first time in 42 years. Minister MOTEGI added that he wished to continue to promote cooperation between the two countries, which share fundamental values and principles, both bilaterally and in the international arena.
2. Bilateral Relations
- Minister Haimbe expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support for the Nacala Corridor and other initiatives, and conveyed expectations for mutually beneficial economic development through investment in Zambia by Japanese companies.
- Minister MOTEGI mentioned Japan's cooperation in a variety of areas, including support for human resources development and environmental measures in the mining sector and comprehensive cooperation on the development of the Nacala Corridor, as well as the Japan-Zambia Investment Agreement currently under deliberation in Japan's Diet, and stated that Japan would like to encourage Japanese companies to expand their presence and further strengthen economic relations and cooperation between companies, including in the field of critical minerals.
- The two Ministers also agreed to cooperate towards further strengthening economic relations and to further advance dialogues and exchanges at various levels between the two countries, including by holding the Japan-Zambia Policy Dialogue, promoting inter-regional cooperation and cultural exchanges.
3. Cooperation in International Fora
- Minister MOTEGI stated that as the international community faces various challenges, the ties between Japan and Africa have never been more important, and that Japan would like to work with Zambia to build a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
- Both Ministers exchanged views on regional situations, including the current situations in the Middle East and East Asia, as well as various challenges facing global governance such as Security Council reform, and confirmed that they would continue their collaboration on these issues.