The “Fifth Africa Clearinghouse Tokyo Conference”: G8-related Experts Meeting for Strengthening Activities to Support Peace in Africa

April 22, 2008

On April 23 (Wed) and 24 (Thu), the Government of Japan will host a conference in Tokyo on the strengthening of Peace Support Operations (PSO). Mr. Shigeru Ushio, Director of the First Africa Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will chair the conference, and the persons in charge from foreign ministries and defense ministries of the G8 countries, Scandinavian countries, China and others, and organizations including the United Nations, the EU and the AU (African Union) will participate.
At the upcoming conference, the G8 countries and the Scandinavian countries will present their various activities to strengthen the peace support capabilities of African countries. There will be also discussions on the establishment of an Africa Standby Force by 2010.
Taking opportunity of the upcoming conference, Japan, with TICAD IV and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in mind, intends to tackle the PSO activities in Africa proactively, including support for the PKO Center in Africa.

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