The 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 27 and 28, 2016. TICAD I was held in 1993, and until 2013, 5 conferences were held in Tokyo and Yokohama every five years. TICAD, co-hosted by the Government of Japan, the World Bank Group, the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, and the African Union Commission (AUC), is now going to be held every three years, and for the first time, TICAD VI will be held in Africa this year. In preparation for TICAD VI, the World Bank Tokyo Office has been conducting the Seminar Series to discuss challenges and perspectives of TICAD and African countries.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the Third Japan-African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Summit Roundtable held in New York in September 2015, said that Japan will focus on helping the development of regional infrastructure in three priority regions including Mombasa and the Northern Corridor, the Nacala Corridor, and the Western Africa Region. In this connection, 1st Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series focused on Mozambique, 5th Seminar on Kenya, and 7th Seminar on West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire in particular. 3rd Seminar focused on climate change and 4th Seminar on urbanization, among key challenges faced with Africa. 2nd Seminar focused on nutrition in Ghana and 6th Seminar on forestry conservation in Liberia, as examples of joint activities for promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) by Japanese private sector and civil society organizations. Throughout the Seminar Series, speakers from African Diplomatic Corp, World Bank Group, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japanese private sector and civil society organizations were featured.
8th Session, about one month to TICAD VI, overviewed the discussions and outcomes of previous TICAD, and key issues to be discussed at TICAD VI. Yasusuke Tsukagoshi, Special Representative, Japan, World Bank Group, opened the seminar by introducing planned events the World Bank Group will host at TICAD VI, followed by remarks by Junzo Fujita, Ambassador for TICAD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing newly emerging challenges faced with Africa. Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Japan Solomon K. Maina explained how Government of Kenya is preparing for hosting TICAD VI, and Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan François Oubida presented an overview of impacts for development in Africa since TICAD I. Keiichi Shirato, Chief Analyst, Mitsui Global Strategic Studies Institute discussed the importance of TICAD being held in Kenya from Japan’s perspective. Finally, G.N.V. Ramana, Lead Health Specialist & Program Leader, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea Country Department, Africa Region, World Bank (via videoconference), shared the update on where WBG stands in terms of preparation for TICAD VI in Nairobi side.
After the seminar, a reception for networking among the participants was held, featuring remarks by Noriaki Mizuno, Director, Tokyo Office, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Estifanos Afeworki Haile, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Japan.
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Speakers:
Yasusuke Tsukagoshi, Special Representative, Japan, World Bank Group
Junzo Fujita, Ambassador for TICAD and Ambassador in charge of RECs, Peace, and Security in Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Solomon K. Maina, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Japan
Presentation Material: Kenya’s Preparedness for TICAD VI Summit (PDF)
François Oubida, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan
Presentation Material: The Role of TICAD in Africa Development (PDF)
Keiichi Shirato, Chief Analyst, Mitsui Global Strategic Studies Institute
G.N.V. Ramana, Lead Health Specialist & Program Leader, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea Country Department, Africa Region, World Bank (via videoconference)
Remarks at networking reception after the seminar:
Estifanos Afeworki Haile, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Japan
Noriaki Mizuno, Director, Tokyo Office, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Past Series:
7th Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (June 10, 2016)
"Infrastructure Development and Business Opportunities in West Africa: Focusing on Côte d'Ivoire"
6th Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (May 9, 2016)
"Liberia's Challenges and Perspectives, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Case Report"
5th Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (February 24, 2016)
“Infrastructure Development and Business Opportunities in Kenya and Neighboring Countries”
4th Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (January 22, 2016)
“Land Use Planning & Spatial Development for Smart Growth in African Cities”
3rd Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (January 13, 2016)
“Climate Change Initiatives in Africa”
2nd Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (December 4, 2015)
"Investment in Nutrition: Initiatives in Africa"
1st Seminar in the TICAD Seminar Series (October 7, 2015)
“Discussion on TICAD VI with His Excellency Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Belmiro Jose Malate, the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique to Japan”