The African Diplomatic Corps (ADC) held its monthly meeting on Monday, 14th of September 2009, from 10:30 to 13:30, at the Nippon Foundation building in Akasaka, Tokyo. The meeting was hosted by the Embassy of Senegal led by H.E. Mr. Gabriel Alexandre SAR, the Ambassador of Senegal to Japan. Chaired by the ADC Dean, H.E. Mr. Jean-Christian OBAME, the Ambassador of Gabon to Japan, the following main points on the agenda were discussed.

1. Briefing by the main Guest Speaker, Mr. Kazunori OSHIYAMA, Director-General, African Department, JICA, on “the Implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan”;

2. Briefing by Mr. Wilf C. WAKELY, Registered Foreign Solicitor, Japan, on “ the possibilities for Embassies to own their custom-built Chancery and/or Residence in Tokyo;

3. Report by the Chairman of the ADC Committee on the preparation for the JATA World Travel Fair 2009 and related issues.

On the Implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan, Mr. OSHIYAMA made a Power-point presentation by which he outlined two points: the New JICA and the TICAD IV Follow-up. On the New JICA, he indicated that the aim of the reform undertaken one year ago was to make the institution more strategic, effective and responsive in implementing the two components of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA): Bilateral ODA composed of Grant Aid, Technical Cooperation and ODA loans and Multilateral ODA dealing with Japanese contributions to International Organizations. . Currently JICA holds 33 Offices in Africa, covering most of the Africa sub-regions.

On the TICAD IV Follow-up, Mr. OSHIYAMA recalled that JICA’s cooperation to Africa is in line with the TICAD process, which is based on three pillars: -Poverty Reduction through Economic Development; -Human Centered Development for achieving MDGs; - and Peace Consolidation and Good Governance. In terms of concrete steps to fulfill the commitments made by Japan under TICAD IV, 75 project-related missions have already been dispatched to African countries of which 25 have been completed by September 1, 2009. The projects are mainly focusing on Infrastructure, Education, Health, environment and Peace building and a regional balance is sought. Some JICA’s projects are being served as models, namely the Hospital management project being implemented in five African countries and the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD).

On the “Custom-built Chancery/Residence” presentation, Mr. WAKELY recalled that most of the African countries in Tokyo are renting their premises, which are either too small, outmoded or inappropriate and too expensive. Therefore, he presented a financing program under which African Diplomatic Missions could explore ways and means to acquire properties at reasonable costs less or not exceeding the amount being paid for rents. The business model of the proposal is based on a long-term lease, through which the Embassy and a private participant (Promoter) are working together to complete a project of benefit to two both parties. After the presentation, the interested Embassies were encouraged to submit a form for obtaining further information on the proposed real state program.

On the third item regarding the Report by the Chairman of the ADC Committee for Tourism, H.E. Mr. Oscar Motswagae, Ambassador of Botswana to Japan, on the preparation for the JATA World Travel Fair 2009,  it should be recalled that the African Diplomatic Corps will be participating in this event, which will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight from September 17 to 20, 2009. Fourteen African countries have been registered and will have booths at the African Zone, which has been especially allocated  to them.

The JATA World Travel Fair, is both a trade show for travel industry professionals to do business negotiations, exchange information and build relationships, and a consumer travel fair where exhibitors can showcase travel products and appeal directly to potential Japanese travelers. This fair will serve to stimulate Japanese travel demand and launch new travel trends.

This year, WTF 2009 highlights the continent of Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010 to be held in South Africa and together with the continuous promotion of Ecotourism in the continent also known as the “Cradle of Life”.

During the ADC meeting the Chairman of the Tourism Committee outlined the main events to be organized by the ADC group for this big fair including: the Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the African Zone; The Seminar on Tourism in Africa; and the Reception to be given by the ADC on the eve of September 18, 2009.