The President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr Jacob Zuma, has today, 31 March 2013, arrived in Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-V) Summit to be held in Yokohama, Japan on 1 - 3 June 2013. This will be followed by a Working Visit on 4 June 2013.
The TICAD is a strategic partnership between Africa and Japan that was launched in 1993, with a view to serve as a consultative forum for development assistance to Africa. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the TICAD Process and this coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the OAU/AU.
The TICAD-V Summit will be held under the theme, "Hand in Hand with a Dynamic Africa", a theme that symbolizes the growing economic statute of Africa in the global economy.
About 40 African Heads of State are said to have confirmed their participation at this TICAD Summit, which takes place every five years. The Prime Minister of Japan, H.E Mr Shinzo Abe will Co-Chair the six plenary sessions with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr.Hailemariam Desalegn (in his capacity as the current Chair of the African Union).
South Africa's participation in the upcoming TICAD meetings is premised on the AU’s strategic objective of ensuring that all global partnerships with Africa should support the African development priorities, while also strengthening Africa's participation in global affairs as an equal partner. At this Summit, the African Heads of State and Government, Japan and the TICAD Partners will adopt the TICAD-V Declaration, as well as its five-year Action Plan that will guide the strategic cooperation between Africa and Japan between 2013 - 2017.
On the 4th the visit will turn into an on official visit to Japan focusing on relations between the two countries.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
