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JICC
Newsletter
No.4, June 2011 |
7. The
Third TICAD Ministerial Follow-Up Meeting
Japan Announces Its Determination to
Implement Its Commitment to Assist Africa, Overcoming the Earthquake
Disaster
On May 1-2, the Third TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting took place
in Dakar, Republic of Senegal and was attended by some 500
participants from 68 countries around the world (including 47 in
Africa), 42 international and regional organizations, NGOs and the
private sector. Japan was represented by Foreign Minister Takeaki
Matsumoto and State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi,
who co-chaired the meeting with H.E. Mr. Madické Niang, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal, the host country.
Statements from Japan
At the meeting, Japan made the following statements among others:
(1) The Great East Japan Earthquake
Japan expressed its appreciation for the support and solidarity
rendered by African countries and the international community as a
whole after the Great East Japan Earthquake. To share with Africa
its experiences and lessons learned in tackling this disaster, Japan
made a proposal to convene a seminar in Japan during the course of
this year, on the theme of “Creating Resilient Economies and
Societies” to withstand natural disasters.
(2) TICAD IV Follow-Up
The meeting confirmed that the Yokohama Action Plan, issued at TICAD
IV in 2008, has been steadily implemented. Japan stated that it
would maintain its intention to continue taking an active role in
enhancing peace and stability in the international community, and
expressed its unwavering determination to faithfully implement the
TICAD IV pledges, overcoming the recent earthquake disaster.
(3) Political Issues in Africa
Japan stated its position on the recent situations in Sudan,
Somalia, Côte d’Ivoire, and North African countries. Japan then
announced that through the TICAD process it would continue to tackle
various challenges such as poverty, unemployment, security and
governance problems that are seen as underlying factors in these
situations.
(4) Climate Change
Japan called for close cooperation with African countries towards
COP17, to be held in South Africa, later this year. It also proposed
to formulate, together with the African countries, a “Low-Carbon
Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy in Africa”, which will
provide a medium- and long-term vision to address climate change
issues in Africa.
Evaluation
The participating countries at the meeting extended their renewed
support and solidarity for Japan as it works towards recovery and
reconstruction from the disaster. They also highly appreciated
Japan’s expression of determination to continue faithful
implementation of its comprehensive pledges made at TICAD IV. In
addition, the participating countries welcomed Japan’s proposal to
convene a disaster risk management seminar.
Furthermore, the participating countries highly commended the
assistance that Japan has been extending to Africa in the area of
climate change. These countries positively evaluated Japan’s
proposal to formulate, together with African countries, a medium-
and long-term strategy aimed at promoting sustainable and low-carbon
growth in Africa.
The Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting as the outcome
document reflects the perspectives of both the African countries and
their development partners and carries an important message for
major international meetings such as the G8, G20, the MDGs Follow-Up
Meeting and COP17, slated for this year.
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