The University of Tokyo and the Yomiuri Shinbun collaborated for a special symposium on Global Leadership Studies on June 3, 2009 with H.E. Dr. Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Mrs. Sadako Ogata, President of JICA and Former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as the keynote speakers. The African Diplomatic Corps (ADC) in Japan was among the invitees who attended the seminar and the reception.
In his speech entitled “The Global Economic Crisis and Africa – The Role of Africa’s Partners”, Dr. Annan recalled Africa was not spared from the current economic and financial crisis as previously thought and that the progress made over the past years could be wiped out. As a result of a sharp decline in economic activities in most of African countries, social indicators are also worsening with the potential increase by millions of the number of African living on less than US $2 a day. The effects of climate change, which are being seen across the continent, are also aggravating the overall picture. All in all, it is estimated that Africa would experience a shortfall in capital flow of about US$ 50 billion in the next two years.
It is in this context that Dr. Annan reiterated the need for the international partners of Africa to keep their commitments, underlining that this was also in their own self-interest. He subsequently praised Japan for declaring that, despite the financial crisis, it will keep all its commitments made towards Africa. Dr. Annan also invited the private sector to invest in Africa, a continent more and more seen as a place of opportunities. Indeed, Africa has a large potential in many areas (Natural and human resources) and can help and contribute to the global welfare in the world. Agriculture for instance is one of the sectors, which can contribute to accelerating growth in Africa. That is why, he has initiated the “Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa”, an entity aimed at promoting agriculture production across the continent.
On a more broader perspective, Dr. Annan in his speech called for a fundamental reform of the world’s multilateral institutions to reflect the new realities, the challenges and the priorities of today’s world. (To read more about Dr. Annan speech, please click here)
On her address Mrs. Ogata praised Dr. Annan’s leadership during his tenure at the United Nations and for his outstanding contribution to the peace process in Kenya in 2007. Regarding the role of Japan and her institution, JICA, in Africa, Mrs. Ogata indicated the signing of an agreement between JICA and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa on June 3, 2009. Through this agreement, Japan is expected to contribute to the agricultural development and the Coalition for African Rice Development, which aims at doubling rice production in Africa over the next 10 years.
On Peace and Security in Africa, Mrs Ogata reiterated the need to change the image of Africa in Japan in the sense that what is portrayed by the media on Africa is often a continent of misery, conflicts and wars. “This must change” said Mrs Ogata. Her institution JICA is deeply involved in humanitarian assistance programs in Africa in the context of promoting the concept of “Human Security”.
Following their speeches, they answered questions from the audience, who were mostly students, on global issues from the conflicts in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the current situation of North Korea’s nuclear stand.
To read more about the Global Leadership Program and Dr. Kofi Annan and Mrs Ogata addresses, please see the following links below.
The Daily Yomiuri: GLOBAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SPECIAL / Japanese youth urged to work globally
Mrs. Sadako Ogata’s Speech on Global Leadership
Mrs. Sadako Ogata’s Speech on the Second CARD General Meeting
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