JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY

The Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development
Ministerial Meeting
(TICAD V)

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development
(TICAD V) Ministerial Meeting

Theme: " Hand in Hand for a More Dynamic Africa"

When: 15th -17th March 2013

- 15th March 2013 : Senior Official meeting
- 16th – 17th March 2013 : Ministerial meeting

Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Ministers and delegations of African countries and TICAD co-organizers, namely the African Union Commission (AUC), Government of Japan, the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office of the Under Secretary General and Special Advisor on Africa (UNOSSA) and the World Bank, along with representatives of other partner countries, international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations.

The Meeting will be co-chaired by the Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Japan. It consists of four plenary sessions, namely “ Outcome documents of TICAD V”, “Inclusive and Resilient Society-Contribution of TICAD to the MDGs process-“, “Peace and Stability in Africa-Pressing issues-“, “Trade and Investment in Africa-Opportunities and Challenges-“. Each plenary session will be co-chaired by respective TICAD co-organizer.

Objectives: African ministers and delegates from Japan and African countries, along with representatives of other partner countries, international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations will convene to review progress made in the implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan.

TICAD has evolved into a major global platform for African development. The forthcoming TICAD V will provide an excellent opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the TICAD process over the last 20 years and renew political will and commitment to TICAD’s continued partnership in support of Africa’s development.

Background:

In preparations for the Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD V), scheduled to be from 1-3 June 2013, Yokohama, Japan. The TICAD V Follow-Up Ministerial Meeting will be held in Addis Ababa from 14-16 March 2013, on two levels.

Organized under the theme “Hand in Hand for a More Dynamic Africa”, TICAD V will discuss the “Yokohama Declaration 2013”, outlining principles for advancing African development among TICAD stakeholders, as well as the “Yokohama Action Plan 2013”, laying out a road map for action oriented initiatives centered around six main pillars, namely achieving private sector-led growth, accelerating infrastructure development for growth, transforming farmers into main actors for growth , promoting sustainable and resilient growth, creating an inclusive society for growth, and realizing a peaceful and stable continent and generate hope for growth. TICAD V is expected to be attended by representatives from many African countries, including heads of State and government.

It will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the TICAD process, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, and affirm that TICAD has evolved into a major global platform for African development.

Attached the draft work programme.

For further information please contact:

African Union Commission

Ms. Afrah M. Thabit
Communication Officer
Cell: +251) 911-200922
E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org; afraht@hotmail.com

Japan
Mr. Daisuke Komori
Communication Officer
Cell: +251911-200719
E-mail: daisuke.komori@mofa.go.jp

Mr. Tesfaye Yared
Communication Officer
Cell: +251 911-610295
E-mail: yared.tesfaye@ad.mofa.go.jp

Journalists are invited to cover the opening and closing ceremony from 16 to 17 March, 2013.

A joint press conference is scheduled from 13:00 to 13:30 (local time) 17 March, 2013 in “Small Conference room 4” in AUC.