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Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii Attends TICAD Ministerial Meeting

August 26, 2024

Mr. Ishii Taku, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended a Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting and delivered opening remarks at a session on the economy. He also participated in a welcome reception and a networking session and built ties with participating ministers from African countries. In addition, he held a meeting with a minister from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the two sides discussed on the enhancement of bilateral economic ties.

1. Delivering opening remarks at Plenary Session 3 (Economy)

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii participated in Plenary Session 3 (Economy) as part of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held on Sunday, August 25, and delivered opening remarks.

During his speech, he stressed the importance for Japan and Africa to work together to create societies that can strike a balance between solving social challenges and achieving sustainable growth. He also announced that the Third Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum will be held in Abidjan, the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, on December 16, 2024, and will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and a host country in Africa.

Following this, he took the stage to welcome MYAKU-MYAKU, the official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, to be held in 2025, and called on the participating ministers from African countries to seize the opportunity of the Expo to strengthen economic ties between Japan and Africa.

2. Participation in a networking session

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii participated in a networking session held as the second part of Plenary Session 3 (Economy), listening presentations held by representatives of both Japanese and African startups, and exchanging views with participants.

On this occasion, he visited some booths presented by companies that are taking advantage of METI’s support measures for business development in Africa, received explanations on the high business potential of African markets and local demand, and listened to the challenges faced by the companies in Africa and requests for governmental support to address these challenges. He also held discussions with staff of the companies on further activities in the future.

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3. Meeting between H.E. Ms. Bestine Kazadi Ditabala, Delegated Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie in charge of International Cooperation and Francophonie, DRC, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii

On Monday, August 26, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii received a courtesy call from Minister Kazadi, DRC, during her visit to Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting.

At the meeting, the two sides welcomed the growing activities personal exchanges between the two countries and the progress made in cooperation in various fields, including the field of minerals, and they confirmed that Japan and the DRC will continue to hold discussions.

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4. Meeting between H.E. Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii

On Friday, August 23, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii received a courtesy call from Assistant Administrator Eziakonwa of the UNDP, one of the co-hosting organizations of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting.

At the meeting, the UNDP expressed its appreciation to the Government of Japan, which is the largest donor to the organization. Following this, the both sides confirmed their continued collaboration to build a startup ecosystem in Africa and promote early-stage investment.

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Division in Charge

Africa Office, Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau