TICAD 9 comes at a pivotal moment for global cooperation. Can you share Japan's vision for this summit and what it is trying to achieve?
This year, 2025, is African year, and the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) will be held in Yokohama, Japan in August. TICAD 9 will be held at a considerable time, leading to a high-level week of the UN General Assembly in September, marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. It then leads to the G20 summit in South Africa in November. This is the first time Africa has hosted a group of that country.
I myself visited South Africa in February and Senegal in May, where I first experienced African dynamism.
With the international community facing multifaceted challenges, it has never been more important for Japan to deepen cooperation with African countries based on the concept of human safety when dealing with global issues such as global health, human resource development, education, disaster prevention, and mine clearance, which Japan has expertise.
These discussions are in line with the UN Future Summit last September and the 4th International Conference of the United Nations (FFD4) from June to July this year.
From your perspective, what was the most important milestone in the Japan-Africa partnership so far?
TICAD began in 1993 as a multilateral international conference on African development. It served as a turning point for international community interest in Africa.
Under the principles of ownership and partnership, Japan has consistently strengthened sustainable development led by Africa itself through the TICAD process for over 30 years. TICAD is leading the trend in international debates regarding Africa's development. Ticad's uniqueness is based on its pioneering nature, inclusiveness and openness, and respects Africa's ownership, including many stakeholders, including international organizations, third countries, businesses, academia and NGOs. These features demonstrate Chicad's unique strengths.
Regarding Japan's efforts, Senegale Prime Minister Sonko said, “The Japanese model of development, which teaches fish methods rather than feeding fish, is exemplary for Senegal.”
In other words, Japan not only provided funding and infrastructure, but also faced challenges in African countries, developed talent and worked together to find solutions while strengthening high-quality infrastructure and institutions.
What are the key themes that shape the TICAD 9 agenda? How do they reflect both African priorities and Japan's foreign policy goals?
TICAD 9 will be held under the theme of “Co-creating innovative solutions with Africa.” It leverages innovative Japanese technologies and know-worth, including cutting-edge technologies such as AI, digital healthcare, and the use of hydrogen and ammonia energy. We want to create solutions for different challenges together and put them in our implementation.
Public-private partnerships are key to achieving economic and social change in Africa, including comprehensive growth and economic integration included in the African Union's development goals, and will work with African countries to promote private sector funding mobilization by improving the investment environment and strengthen regional integration and connectivity through the implementation of Africa's free territory.
We will also work together to strengthen the abilities of young people and women and develop talent. We aim to use Japan's technology and know-how to accelerate industrialization and create jobs in Africa.
During TICAD 9 in August, many Japanese and African private companies will take part in business-related events to present and present examples of the use of innovation. We hope that TICAD 9 will provide concrete ideas for solutions to economic and social challenges in countries and solutions to new business opportunities.
Ensuring peace, stability and excellent governance is the prerequisites for sustainable economic growth and investment, and an inclusive society that no one has left behind. I would like to encourage African solutions to African conflicts and strengthening governance by Africa itself. We intend to use TICAD to discuss important issues regarding peace and stability, including addressing the root causes of conflict focused on conflict prevention and the concept of human safety.
Young people and women have a future of relations between Japan and Africa. With one in three young people around the world expected to be African descent by 2050, youth and women need to be the drivers of innovation and peace. To this end, we want to promote HR development, human exchange and cultural exchange for the next generation. There are also young people-sponsored programs underway at the upcoming TICAD 9, and I look forward to them.
Finally, what message would you like to send to African leaders, entrepreneurs and citizens preparing to join Yokohama this August?
With increasing global uncertainty, promoting cooperation between Japan and Africa has become more important than ever. We would like to confirm TICAD 9's concrete cooperation with Africa, to provide the opportunity to strengthen comprehensive and responsible global governance and guide the international community towards cooperation.
