TANAKA Akihiko

On June 1, 2013, the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) will commence in Yokohama and it will continue until June 4. Delegations from more than 40 countries, including African heads of state, will participate in the conference. In addition to the co-organizers of TICAD V, namely the Government of Japan, the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC), and the other international organizations, members of the private sector, academics and representatives of civil society organizations and leaders of emerging countries that are becoming more and more important for Africa as new partners for development will gather and discuss the way forward toward inclusive, sustainable and dynamic development in Africa.

The TICAD process will celebrate its 20th anniversary at TICAD V. Japan held the first TICAD in 1993, in collaboration with the United Nations, to stress to the international community the importance of support for Africa even as interests on African countries was fading after the end of the Cold War. Following this, TICAD was held every five years, in 1998, 2003 and 2008 in Japan, to discuss changing challenges in Africa, and it has been playing an important role in sharing the reality of African nations with the international community and calling for support and cooperation. The government of Japan, through the TICAD process, has been working to promote "ownership" of African nations and a "partnership" between the various actors who support this endeavor.

As the TICAD process reaches the milestone of its 20th year, JICA has been contributing by implementing and following up on the commitments made at TICAD IV. As an implementing agency of Japanese overseas development assistance, as the host country of TICAD, and as the world's largest bilateral aid agency, JICA has contributed to preparation of the outcome documents of TICAD V and has participated in the formulation of the Japanese government's commitment and support measures for TICAD V.

In addition, as a TICAD V official event, JICA will organize a series of seminars entitled "Inclusive and Dynamic Development in Africa", through utilizing Japan's experiences and the knowledge that JICA learned on the ground, to help deepen of development efforts in Africa. On May 31, the TICAD V JICA Seminar Series began ahead of the formal opening of TICAD V.

On May 31, as a part of the JICA Seminar Series, the TICAD V high-level panel "Inclusive and Dynamic Development in Africa" was held. In her opening remarks, Sadako Ogata, the special advisor to the president of JICA, stated that while rapid economic growth has been achieved by African countries since TICAD IV, African countries are facing various challenges, such as infant mortality and poverty levels (both related to the millennium development goals), youth unemployment, and the threat of international terrorism in a part of the region. She stressed that the three pillars of TICAD V: 1. "Robust and Sustainable Economy," 2. "Inclusive and Resilient Society" and 3. "Peace and Stability" are all closely related to human security, and that in order to achieve sustainable development, it is essential to work on these issues which are directly linked to survival, livelihood and human dignity .

After that, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka served as the moderator of the panel discussion, and Ivory Coast President H.E. Alassane Ouattara, Senegal President H.E. Macky Sall and Ethiopia Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn discussed situations and challenges faced by their respective countries, and possible approaches to be taken to push forward the aim of "Inclusive and Dynamic Development of Africa." The leaders stated that Africa is a "continent of youth" and that peace and stability cannot be obtained without development inclusive of the young generation and women. Expectations for Japan and JICA were expressed as the leaders emphasized the need for infrastructure improvement and human resource development in order for Africa to sustain its progress.

JICA will hold a total of 19 seminars, targeting the general public, members of the media and TICAD V meeting participants, for four days until June 3.

*Video of the JICA seminars, "Inclusive and Dynamic Development of Africa," will be shown on the following television programs:

1. NHK World - Sunday, June 2, 2013. 18:10-18:59.
"TICAD V High-level Panel Discussion Inclusive and Dynamic Development in Africa"
"TICAD V Related Symposium, Inclusive and Dynamic Development in Africa"
In Japan, visit the English version of the NHK World website to stream the program
2. NHK E Tele - TV symposium, Saturday, June 15, 14:00-14:59.