Union africaine: Visite de Jean Ping au Japon

Commission, Dr Jean Ping, has paid a three-day visit to Japan at the invitation of the

the Japanese Government. During the visit, which took place from 1 to 3 August

2010, Dr Ping was received by the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Naoto Kan, who

welcomed the Chairperson's visit to Japan and stated that Japan is willing to further

strengthen the relationship between Japan and the African Union.

Prime Minister Kan further said that Japan will actively promote its cooperation with

Africa. In this connection, he affirmed that Japan will implement the official pledge

announced at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development

(TICAD IV) to double its official development assistance (ODA) to Africa. He expressed

the hope that the AUC will play an active role in the TICAD process as a new coorganizer.

In response, Chairperson Ping expressed his gratitude for the invitation to visit Japan

and for Japan's assistance to Africa. He said that the AUC is eager to actively cooperate

with Japan in various areas, including the TICAD process, and called for a strengthened

relationship between the African Union and Japan, particularly in the area of trade and

investment.

The two leaders shared their commitment to cooperate closely in tackling global issues,

such as, UN Security Council reform and climate change.

The Chairperson had a formal session and a working lunch with the Japanese Minister

of Foreign Affairs, Mr Katsuya Okada. They both exchanged views on ways and means

to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the AU and Japan and issued

a joint communiqué to that effect.

As part of the visit, Dr Ping gave the keynote address at a symposium on 3 August

organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-sponsored by the Japanese

International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations University, at the

campus of the United Nations University in Tokyo, under the theme: "Present and

address, Chairperson Ping underscored the importance of Africa's regional integration.

"Africa's regional integration strategy has always been holistic. It aims to accelerate the

process of continental integration and promote Africa's economic development, while

also positioning the continent to efficiently meet the challenges of globalization and play

its appropriate role in the concert of nations." He declared.

Following Dr Ping's lecture, a panel of distinguished speakers expressed their views on

the future course of Africa and a new Japan-Africa relationship. Panelists included two

Commissioners from the African Union Commission in charge of Trade and Industry

and Human Resource, Science and Technology respectively, the Chief Executive

Officer of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, as well as representatives

from the African Diplomatic Corps and the Japanese business and academic

communities.

The Chairperson and his delegation also had a breakfast meeting with the African

Diplomatic Corps (ADC) made up of the thirty-six African countries with diplomatic

representations in Tokyo. The delegation had useful exchange of views especially on

how ADC would contribute to the Commission’s effective role as a co-organiser of

TICAD. The Chairperson commended ADC for being so well organized and for the

immense role it has played in furthering Africa\s relations with Japan.

The Chairperson gave several press interviews with leading Japanese daily

newspapers and magazines as well as radio and television. He and the delegation also

paid a brief visit to a Panasonic Centre where the company demonstrated some of its

latest developments and creation.

The Chairperson’s engagements also included a meeting with the Japanese Vice

Minister for Environment, the Vice President of JICA, and a working lunch with the Vice

Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also received three representatives of the Democratic

Party of Japan’s African Parliamentary Group.