Allow me to start with expressing our deep appreciation to the CSD 16 bureau for their tireless effort in making this meeting fruitful.
Today, we are focusing our discussion on Africa.
For Japan, this year is an extremely important year for Japan?s engagement with Africa for two main reasons. First, because we will host the Forth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in May and second, because we will host the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July with an outreach session specifically focused on Africa.
The priority areas of TICAD IV are ?Boosting Economic Growth,? ?Ensuring Human Security? and ?Climate Change,? and MDGs and peacebuilding will be given special attention when discussing Human Security.
It goes without saying that in order to accelerate growth in Africa, further promotion of trade and investment is indispensable. Furthermore, since roughly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the improvement of agricultural productivity is also critical. For that reason, we will be working to deepen discussion, at TICAD IV, regarding the efforts being undertaken by the countries of Africa in this area while mobilizing assistance from all over the international community.
Peace is a primary prerequisite for sustainable development and in Japan?s policy as a ?peace fostering nation.? We place emphasis on peacebuilding efforts in post conflict situations, as demonstrated by its leadership in chairing the United Nations Peace Building Commission.
Africa is by far one of the most vulnerable continents to climate change. For Africa, the strategies necessary to combat climate change varies from
country to country. Some might be in the need of advanced technology in curbing their CO2 emissions, while others might need more assistance in mitigation and adaptation. To start with, we have launched ?Cool Earth Partnership? with 10 billion USD in funding, to address climate change issues in Africa.
Japan is determined to take up the issues on sustainable development of Africa in TICAD IV as well as in our capacity as host of G8 in order to produce concrete results in the African continent.
