Press Releases

Visit of Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs MATSUMOTO to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Results)

December 19, 2024

From December 14th to 18th, Mr. MATSUMOTO Hisashi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The following is the summary of his visit.

1. Attendance at the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto’s speech at the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto’s presentation on Expo 2025 Osaka and TICAD 9 at the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum
Commemorative photo of the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum
  1. On December 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto participated in the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. This Forum, which was announced to be launched by then Prime Minister Abe during the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in 2016, aims to promote cooperation between the Japanese and African private sectors and to expand business activities of Japanese companies in Africa, with the participation of public and private sector officials to exchange their views.
  2. In addition to Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto, the Forum was attended by Mr. OGUSHI Masaki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. KARUBE Jun, Chairman of the African Regional Committee of KEIDANREN, Mr. IDE Tatsuya, Chairman of the Middle East and Africa Committee of Keizai Doyukai, and other business representatives from Japan, and several Ministers from Côte d'Ivoire, the co-organizer country (host country), including H.E.Mr. Robert Beugré MAMBE, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, 40 African countries, including about 20 Ministers, as well as governments and business representatives, including five companies participating in the Start-up Mission, took part in the Forum. The total number of attendants was around 1,000 people.
  3. At the Forum, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto delivered a presentation on TICAD 9 and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, to be held in Japan next year (2025). In this context, he introduced the TICAD process, which Japan launched and has been promoting for more than 30 years, and the initiatives taken at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August this year. He also stressed that TICAD 9, which will be held in Yokohama from August 20th to 22nd next year, will be a great opportunity for all participants, bringing together heads of state and government, business, international organizations and NGOs in Japan, with the aim of co-creating innovative solutions with Africa. He also welcomed the participation of many African countries in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which opens in April next year.

2. Meetings with H.E.Mr. Kacou Houaja Léon ADOM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad of Côte d'Ivoire

Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO shaking hands with H.E. Mr. ADOM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad of Côte d'Ivoire
Meetings between Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO and H.E. Mr. ADOM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad of Côte d'Ivoire

On 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto 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.
At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto thanked the Minister for his participation and visit to Japan at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo in August this year, as well as the Government of Côte d'Ivoire for its great cooperation in organizing this Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a transparent business environment in the context of the growing expectations of Japanese companies towards Côte d'Ivoire. Furthermore, the two sides exchanged views on cooperation in international arena, including UN Security Council reform.
In response, Minister Adom stated that he was pleased to host the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum and hoped that this would lead to further investment by Japanese companies.
Finally, the two sides also discussed various issues, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the response to the situation in North Korea and other East Asian affairs, and agreed to work together on the basis of values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

3. Meetings with third country dignitaries who participated in the Forum

(1) H.E. Mr. Ismaël NABÉ, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of the Republic of Guinea

Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO shaking hands with H.E. Mr NABÉ, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Guinea

On 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Ismaël NABÉ, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of the Republic of Guinea.
Referring to the cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of fields, including technical cooperation to improve the productivity of domestically produced rice, the development of fishing ports, the construction of a public health laboratory and infrastructure development, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto stated that, with a view to further strengthening bilateral relations, Japan intends to continue to encourage Guinea towards a prompt transition and a realization of political stability.
In response, Minister Nabé extended his gratitude for the various assistance provided by Japan and expressed his hope that Japanese companies would take an interest in Guinea's social development programmes, referring to the high quality of the infrastructure provided by Japanese companies. He also explained about the process towards its political transition.
The two sides also exchanged views on international affairs, including UN Security Council reform, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the response to the situation in North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue, and agreed to continue to strengthen bilateral and international cooperation.

(2) H.E. Mr. Soares SAMBU, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO shaking hands with H.E. Mr. SAMBU, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration of Guinea-Bissau

On 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Soares SAMBU, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto referred to bilateral cooperation in the field of food security and other areas, and expressed hope for further strengthening of relations, including in the private sector, in the future.
In response, Minister Sambu explained Guinea-Bissau's initiatives for peace and stability in the West African region and in the international arena, and expressed the intention to further strengthen bilateral relations between Japan and Guinea-Bissau, including the increase of high-level visits between two countries.
The two sides also exchanged views on international affairs, including UN Security Council reform, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the response to the situation in North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue, and agreed to continue to strengthen bilateral and international cooperation in anticipation of TICAD 9 next August.

(3) H.E. Dr. Codioro Moussa N’GUENORE, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Responsible for the Budget of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO shaking hands with H.E. Dr. N’GUENORE, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Responsibe for the Budget of Mauritania

On 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Codioro Moussa N’GUENORE, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Responsible for the Budget of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto expressed his respect for Mauritania's stable state management in the Sahel region and his hope that Japan's assistance would contribute to the sustainable development of Mauritanian fisheries resources and the creation of jobs for youth and women.
In response, Minister N’Guenore expressed his gratitude for Japan's cooperation in the field of fisheries support, such as the fisheries research vessel construction programme, and expressed his hope that this would lead to the improvement of the value chain in Mauritania, as well as his expectation that the country's safety and business environment attract Japanese companies to participate in various fields including seawater desalination in the future.
The two sides also exchanged views on international affairs, including UN Security Council reform, the response to the situation in North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue, and agreed to continue strengthening bilateral and international cooperation with a view to TICAD 9 in August next year.

(4) H.E. Mr. Thierry Patrick AKOLOZA, Minister in charge of Trade and Industry of the Central African Republic

Parliamentary Vice-Minister MATSUMOTO shaking hands with H.E. Mr. AKOLOZA, Minister in charge of Trade and Industry of the Central African Republic

On 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto held a meeting with H. E. Mr. Thierry Patrick AKOLOZA, Minister in charge of Trade and Industry of the Central African Republic.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto expressed his respect for CAR's efforts to make progress in domestic peace and to improve the humanitarian situation, and stated that Japan intends to continue the cooperation towards the stability of the country, through humanitarian assistance on food security, water, sanitation, health and women's empowerment, as well as stabilization programmes through international organizations.
In response, Minister Akoroza explained the efforts of the country, towards economic and social development as well as peace, while facing the crisis. The Minister also stated that his country was promoting economic diversification and industrialization in particular and looked forward to Japanese assistance and investment, particularly in the fields of infrastructure and energy. The two sides also exchanged views on international affairs and agreed to continue to strengthen bilateral and international cooperation with a view to TICAD 9 next August.

4. Visits to economic, development cooperation and cultural projects, etc.

Shinzo Abe / Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Intersection built with the support of Japan, Abidjan Shinzo Abe / Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Intersection, Abidjan

Prior to the Forum, on 15th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto visited the Shinzo Abe / Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Intersection, which was built with Japanese assistance and is contributing to smoothing traffic in fast-growing Abidjan.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto receives a briefing at the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Centre of Cocody Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto’s visit to the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody
Commemorative photo with staff from the new Maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody Maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody

On the same day, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto also visited the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody, one of the largest hospitals in Côte d'Ivoire, which was constructed and renovated with Japanese assistance. He also exchanged views with representatives of Japanese companies operating in Côte d'Ivoire to hear about the current business environment in Côte d'Ivoire and to discuss issues to further promote economic exchange.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto exchanging views with students of Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto’s visit to the Centre for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny

Furthermore, on 16th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Matsumoto visited the Centre for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies (Japan Corner) at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where he met Mr. Ballo, President, and other officials, received an explanation of the Centre's classes and efforts to promote Japanese culture, and exchanged views with students who study Japanese.


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