Press Releases
Meeting between Minister IWAYA Takeshi and Representatives of the African Diplomatic Corps
March 29, 2025
On Saturday, March 29, for about 60 minutes from noon, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. IWAYA Takeshi had a meeting with representatives of the African Diplomatic Corps (ADC).
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya paid tribute to the ADC for its ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with Japan. Minister Iwaya also mentioned that Japan has been supporting Africa's development through TICAD for more than 30 years, and that TICAD 9 in August this year will be held to continue to support Africa's initiatives, including the Agenda 2063, and to co-create and implement solutions with African countries, in key areas such as innovation, youth and women, economic integration, and peace and stability in Africa by capitalizing on Japan’s innovative technologies and know-hows such as AI technology and waste recycling know-how.
- H.E. Dr. Pierre NDZENGUE, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to Japan and Dean of the ADC, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the role Japan is playing in the development of Africa and his expectation to develop relations between Japan and African countries from various perspectives, including increasing Japanese investment and cooperation for human resources development. Other ambassadors also expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral relations as well as economic ties between Japan and Africa, including investment, innovation, and human resource development.
- In closing, Minister Iwaya expressed his appreciation for the useful comments and expectations received from the ambassadors, and stated that Japan will continue to emphasize dialogue with each country and work closely with African countries, both bilaterally and internationally, including at TICAD.
(Reference1) Representatives of the ADC who participated in the meeting
Cameroon (Dean of the ADC), Morocco (Northern Region), Gabon (Central Region), Tanzania (Eastern Region), Malawi (Southern Region), and Ghana (Western Region).
(Reference2) Agenda 2063
A common framework for Africa's inclusive growth and sustainable development to be realized over the 50 years, agreed upon by African leaders through the Declaration on the 50th anniversary of the OAU in 2013.