Maputo, Mozambique – 24th - 25th August 2017: The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) VI Ministerial Follow-up Meeting kicked off on Thursday, 24th August, 2017. The meeting was hosted by the Republic of Mozambique, and co-organized by Japan, the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UNOSSA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. The purpose of the Ministerial Meeting was to follow-up on the progress made across the three pillars of the TICAD VI, building on the achievements in the six priority areas discussed at TICAD V.

In his opening statement, H.E. Mr. Taro Komo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan expressed his appreciation to the Republic of Mozambique for hosting the meeting and stressed the importance of Africa and Japan working together to realize Africa's legitimate aspirations as reflected in Agenda 2063.

The Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Mr. Thomas Kwesi Quartey, highlighted the three key priority areas identified in the Nairobi Declaration: Promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialization; Promoting resilient health systems for quality of life; and Promoting social stability for shared prosperity. He also confirmed their alignment with the seven aspirations of the AU’s Agenda 2063 and its First Ten-Year Implementation Plan. The Deputy Chairperson further invited the Republic of Japan to contribute specifically towards the implementation of the Fast-track Initiatives of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

Following H.E. Mr. Thomas Kwesi Quartey’s address, H.E. Mr. David Mehdi Hamam UNOSSA Director General, Ag. Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa, delivered his opening remarks. He stated that “the full implementation of the TICAD Action-plan, with the collaboration of all partners, will contribute significantly to the achievements of the aspirations outlined in Africa's blueprint, Agenda 2063, and in the Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” He concluded by underlining the need for effective collaboration among all the stakeholders, saying "Let’s work together to build the partnership we want, in order to effectively build the Africa we want, and to leave no African behind".

H.E. Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director for the Regional Bureau for Africa of the UNDP, in his remarks, stated that “If we invest massively in the continent’s structural economic transformation, human security, private sector development, youth employment and gender equality, health and peace and stability, then inclusive and accessible development will be further amplified”. He added that “the involvement of private sector is increasingly important in the development of Africa.”
Mr. Mark Lindell, World Bank, Country Director for Mozambique and Indian Ocean countries, noted the progress made in the health sector in his opening remarks to the delegates, stating that “Pandemic response and universal health coverage are now included in the TICAD agenda.”

The Meeting was graced by the presence of H.E. Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique. He welcomed all delegates to Maputo and thanked the government of Japan for organizing the TICAD VI Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in Mozambique, assuring them of the commitment of his country to make the Meeting a success.

The High-level officials from Africa and Japan, other TICAD Co-organizers, International Organizations and Civil Society Organizations deliberated for two-days on various pertinent topics related to TICAD’s contribution to African development including: the transparency, implementation and efficacy of TICAD projects; economic transformation for Africa’s growth; and ways to promote human security and resilient security in Africa.

The Ministerial Meeting also featured several notable side events, including: ‘Dialogue with the private sector from Japan and Africa’, ‘The Africa clean cities platform’, ‘Mutually beneficial partnerships between African states and non-state actors; The key to achieving UN SGD’S and Agenda 2063 in Africa.’

The two-day meeting closed on a high note with speeches from the African Union and the Co-organizers recognizing the efforts of the respective stakeholders that made the TICAD VI Ministerial Follow-up Meeting a success. The delegates also confirmed their commitment to working together towards TICAD VII, including the Ministerial Meeting to be held in Japan, in 2018.

NOTE TO EDITOR
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) focuses on African development co-organized by: The Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (UN-OSAA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank. Stakeholders include all African countries, development partners, and international organizations. The main objectives of TICAD are (1) to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and their partners; and (2) to mobilize support for African-owned development initiatives.

For further information:
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