Press Releases
Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 21, 2025
On August 21, commencing at 10:00 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Foreign Ministers’ 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, who is visiting Japan to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister IWAYA stated his desire to further develop bilateral relations with Côte d’Ivoire, which continues to enjoy high economic growth and serves as a driver of regional economic growth as a gateway to the French-speaking West African region. In response, Minister Adom stated that he highly appreciates Japan’s efforts in TICAD to date, including in the field of infrastructure, and wishes to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena.
- Minister IWAYA referred to the steady increase in interest from Japanese companies in Côte d’Ivoire, through initiatives such as last year’s Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum, and requested cooperation in maintaining and improving a favorable business environment to encourage greater investment by Japanese companies. Minister IWAYA also stated Japan’s intention to focus on strengthening regional connectivity through infrastructure development, and expressed his hope for deepening people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding, mentioning plans to resume dispatching JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), hold a Japanese film festival and music performance through the Japan Foundation, and dispatch Japanese language experts. In response, Minister Adom expressed his gratitude for Japan’s continued support and stated his hope for further development for the cooperation between the two countries regarding peace and stability in the West Africa region. Both Ministers concurred inconcretely proceeding with the implementation of bilateral policy consultations, in light of the importance of the bilateral relationship.
- Furthermore, both Ministers exchanged views and concurred in closely working together to respond to various regional and international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, as well as the United Nations Security Council reform.