Summary of the 2nd Japan - China - Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Policy Consultation on Foreign Policy towards Africa

On December 21, the 2nd Japan - China - Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Policy Consultation on Foreign Policy towards Africa was held in Beijing. The summary is as follows:

1. Participants
• Japan: Ambassador Yoshitaka Akimoto, Director-General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs
• China: Mr. Zhang Ming, Director-General, Department of African Affairs
• ROK: Mr. Kim Jin-soo, Director-General, African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau
• Other officials

2. Overview

(1) At this consultation, participants held a frank exchange of views and shared information regarding the three countries' priorities in their policy on Africa and cooperation with Africa under the impacts of the international financial and economic crisis, the progress of the three countries' frameworks for cooperation with Africa, and regional issues.

(2) As for the priorities in the policy on Africa and state of cooperation amid the international financial and economic crisis, the three countries discussed how to strengthen aid to Africa to meet MDGs and prevent setbacks in the economic development of the Africa countries considering that Africa's economic growth has been seriously declined in 2009 due to the impacts of the crisis. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the consultation, Japan encouraged China and ROK, as G20 members, to pledge even more proactive contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which plays a vital role in enhancing measures to control infectious diseases.

(3) Regarding the progress of the three countries' frameworks for cooperation with Africa, the three countries exchanged opinions on the state of follow-up for TICAD IV which was held by Japan in 2008, as well as the preparatory process for and results of the Fourth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC 4) and the Second Korea-Africa Forum (KAF), held respectively by China and Korea in November 2009. Japan welcomed the results of frameworks for cooperation with Africa in both countries. Japan also stated that cooperation between traditional and emerging donors is important for effectively and efficiently providing aid to Africa, and emphasized the need for transparency and consideration of the development strategies of the African countries, good governance, human rights, environmental impact, and debt sustainability. In light of this, Japan welcomed the announcement in November 2009 that ROK would officially become a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2010.

(4) On regional issues, the participants exchanged views on the situation in the Sudan, Somalia, and other areas. In particular, they shared a common understanding of the various issues such as the consolidation of peace in the Sudan and Somalia. In terms of countermeasures against piracy, they highly evaluated the fact that each country dispatched vessel for ensuring maritime security in that area as a good example of cooperation between the three countries and agreed to continue closely sharing information.

(5) Lastly, ROK expressed its intention to host the 3rd Trilateral Policy Consultation. Three countries also agreed, through the Policy Consultation, to deepen the three countries' mutual understanding regarding policy towards Africa and consented to make use of each others' experience and lessons learned.