Closing remarks of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on the Occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe to the Head Quarters of the African Union

Addis Ababa, 14 January 2014

 
CLOSING REMARKS OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE
AU COMMISSION, H.E. DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA
ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, H.E. SHINZO ABE TO THE HEAD QUARTERS OF THE AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, 14 January 2014

Your Excellency, H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union
H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
His Excellency, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission and fellow Commissioners

Excellency, Ambassador Konjit, Chairperson of the Permanent Representative Committee of the AU
Excellencies, Members of the Permanent Representative Committee
Excellencies, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Representatives of International Organisations

African Union Commission Directors and Staff

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are privileged to have hosted the Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan to the Headquarters of African Union.

We recall that during the TICAD V meeting of June 2013, the Prime Minister promised to visit the continent, a sign that Japan values its relationship with Africa and recognizes its potential.

This potential is expressed in the continent’s over one billion people, the majority of whom are youth and women, as well as its abundant natural resources in the form of land, water, forests and oceanic resources.

During the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU in 2013, Africa committed to speed up investment in our people, in science, technology, research and innovation and in infrastructure; and to beneficiate our natural and mineral resources, and to invest in agriculture and agri-businesses.

Japan plays an important role in global affairs, as an example of how a country can develop, using its most precious resource, which is its people. In its relations with Africa, we cooperate on human resource development, in particular the generous support Japan gives to the Pan African University.

As we also heard, we cooperate with Japan in many other areas, and we welcome the further policy initiatives announced by the Prime Minister Abe just now, especially the development of entrepreneurs

We also appreciate the encouragement the PM is giving to Janapenese companies, to make the same tapestry of growth in Africa as they have in South East Asia.

We welcome the cultivation of young entrepreneurs and youth vocational training and sports.

We have 2014 in Africa as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. Land is one of the resources that we have in abandon, and yet Africa is a net importer of food.

The adoption of agriculture as a pillar in the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in 2003 seeks to drive our continental agricultural revolution, by increasing investment in agriculture, fostering entrepreneurship and investment in agribusinesses and agri-food value chains, improving national and regional agricultural markets, fostering Africa’s collective food security and improving the management of natural resources.

Japan has experience and expertise in agriculture, even though it has less abundance of land. This is an area of cooperation that we therefore will continue to explore in this continental Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Africa, in addition to land resources also have vast oceanic resources, and therefore is exploring more sustainable and inclusive ways of expanding and protecting its Blue economy, yet another area where we can share experience with Japan

We welcome the support the Prime Minister has just announced for the AUC, peace and security, in South Sudan, Central Africa and the human capacity building in the Commission.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, you have spoken about ‘womenomics’, the undisputed contribution that women can make to social, economic and political development of a country. We in Africa are very conscious of this fact that no society can develop if it only use half its potential.

The vitality, creativity and energy of the youth will drive the development of our continent.

Once again, Prime Minister and delegation, welcome to Africa and the African Union and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.

We hope that as you leave the shores of Africa, you will take with you the spirit of Africa along.

Arigatou!