Countries & Regions

On June 1, for about 25 minutes from 2:55 pm, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan had a meeting with H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, in Yokohama. The following is the gist of the meeting. Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma is visiting Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) held in Yokohama from June 1 to June 3.

 

1. At the beginning of the meeting, Foreign Minister Kishida welcomed the visit of Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma and offered his congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/ African Union (AU). Foreign Minister Kishida also expressed his hope for development both in Africa and Japan in the wake of TICAD V, which marks the 20th anniversary of the TICAD process. In response, Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma said that AU, as a new co-organizer of the TICAD, is determined to make further contributions to build closer ties between Japan and Africa through the TICAD process, stressing the significance of TICAD V being held at this critical juncture as Africa is about to face dramatic changes in terms of its potential and opportunities.

 

2. Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma continued, stating the importance of a wide-ranging approach for the development of Africa, in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and transportation networks. As the labor population in the African continent is expected to surpass one billion by 2040, she called attention to the necessity of human resources development and capacity building of women agricultural workers in particular, and expressed her gratitude to Japan’s cooperation in these areas, including the Pan-African University (PAU).

 

3. In response, Foreign Minister Kishida welcomed having AU, the symbol of Africa’s unity and solidarity, as a new co-organizer for TICAD and expressed hope for holding a high-level policy consultation between Japan and AU at an early date to enhance Japan-Africa partnership. Foreign Minister Kishida also praised the role of AU in the areas of peace, stability, and development in Africa, expressing his intention to strongly support AU’s various initiative at continental level. In response, Chairperson Dlamini-Zuma expressed her hope for a close dialogue for strengthening the ties between Japan and AU and to follow up on TICAD.