(Tokyo - December 21, 2009) The African Diplomatic Corps and Japanese officials from MOFA and related Institutions held the last Tokyo Africa Club (TAC) of the Year 2009 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Tokyo. Representatives of TICAD IV co-organizers (UNDP, World Bank) also attended the meeting, which was chaired by Mr. Nobuyoshi CHIHARA, Deputy Director-General for African Affairs of MOFA).

In the opening Remarks, Mr. Chihara recalled that the TAC meeting is a valuable forum for continuing dialogue with the African Ambassadors in Tokyo, particularly with regards to the implementation of the Yokohama TICAD IV Action Plan. The Ambassador of Gabon and Dean of the ADC, H.E.  Mr. Jean-Christian OBAME, on his part reiterated the view that the main objective of the ADC in participating in the TAC meetings is always to contribute to further enhancing the partnership between Africa and Japan for their mutual interests.  To this end, the focus is put on the concrete implementation of the TICAD IV action plan in synergy with the AU/NEPAD framework. (To read more on the Dean’s opening remarks, please click here.) 

Three main points were put on the Agenda and discussed: (a) Briefing on the annual meeting of Japanese Ambassadors to Africa; (b) the status of the TICAD IV Follow-up and (c) the current situation surrounding Japan’s ODA and COP15.

On the first point, Ambassadors were informed about the assurances gave by Foreign Minister Okada, in respect of the Hatoyama Administration’s Africa policy. In particular, confirmation was reiterated that the Government of Japan would implement faithfully the commitments made at the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development - TICAD IV - held in Yokohama, in May 2008.

Confirmation was also given that Japan is considering Africa as a continent of Hope and Opportunity and that the government will continue to work closely with the Japanese private sector and would continue to “proactively provide support for their business activities”. In that connection, it was proposed that all available schemes under the Japanese government agencies (JICA, JBIC, JETRO, NEXI…) for promoting trade and investment should be fully utilized.  

On the TICAD IV Follow-up issue, Ambassadors were briefed on the state of preparation of the Web-based TICAD IV Annual Progress Report and on the Plan for dispatching the second Joint missions for promoting Trade and Investment to Africa. Regarding the latter point, indications were that those missions will be dispatched to three African sub-regions in the second part of 2010 with emphasis and priority given to the countries which were not covered during the previous joint mission.

Finally, on the current situation surrounding ODA, assurances were given that ODA to Africa will continue to be a priority and its magnitude will not be affected despite the prevailing budgetary situation. It was also reiterated that the common objective of the TICAD Process was to gradually transform the relationship between Africa and Japan from one based largely on ODA and humanitarian assistance to one based on a strategic partnership from which both sides could derive genuine benefits. 

More photos can be seen at the ADC Gallery.