Africa

TICAD IV 2016: Japan Pioneering the Pan-African Dream

Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development 2016 Japan is working to support Africa’s own blueprint for growth and prosperity

September 12th, 2016
Hannah Sarfati, CD News
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Between 27th and 29th August 2016 the sixth edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) Summit was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Since the launch of TICAD in 1993, The Republic of Kenya is the first African country to host the conference.

The ‘’Tokyo International Conference on African Development’’ (TICAD) aims to promote a high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and potential development partners across the world. The initiative is led by Japan and co-organized by the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC).

By developing a global framework in the spirit of partnership and long-term investment, TICAD aims to strengthen Pan – African and Japanese cooperation in realising Africa’s own vision for development. According to Japanese Premier, Mr. Shinzo Abe, ‘’the development of a quality infrastructure is imperative’’ in order for African nations to ensure long-term growth and prosperity and to deal with pressing political, security and sanitary issues.

Aside from continuing to provide training to healthcare professionals - as Japan committed itself to doing in the previous TICAD summit in 2013 - this year Japan continues its ongoing efforts towards implementing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), maternal and child health, and developing the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in African countries.

The Ghana-based Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), founded in 1927, has recently done intensive research on the treatment of Ebola. Additionally, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency and the LIXIL Group – a leading Japanese construction company – have been collaborating with Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization and the Kenya Institute of Organic Farming to create a waterless, odourless eco-toilet.

With TICAD, Japan has positioned itself as a vanguard in an Asian – Pan-African platform for development partnership. This strategic initiative promotes the African continent as an attractive place for investment and an appealing trade partner. A variety of collaborations, intercultural dialogue, and the exchange of expertise and know-how will surely strengthen the already long-standing relationship between Japan and the African nations.

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Cultural Diplomacy News