Nairobi, Kenya - 26 August 2016: The Ministerial Meeting of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-VI) commenced today at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

H.E. Ambassador Amina Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya and Cabinet Secretary, during her welcoming remarks appreciated the relentless work put in by the senior officials to facilitate and ease the work of the Ministers by preparing the draft Nairobi declaration and implementation plan over the past two days.

The Minister stated that the documents will not only provide the roadmap for a sustainable development for Africa through ownership and partnership but will also firmly strengthen the TICAD process as a development framework. Amb. Mohamed further expressed her hope that the Ministers during their deliberation will finalize the outcomes of the document and make their submission to the Heads of State and Government for the summit that will take place from 27-28 August.

H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for foreign Affairs of Japan, officially opened the meeting by underscoring the need for the Ministerial Meeting to duly consider the draft Nairobi declaration and implementation plan before finally passing on the documents for formalities to the Heads of State at the TICAD-VI summit. She concluded by wishing the Ministerial Meeting a fruitful deliberation.

After a full day discussion, the Ministerial Meeting closed with the adoption of the Nairobi declaration and implementation plan. It was emphasized that the declaration and plan of action can provide the necessary guidance to buttress the issue at hand with the active involvement of all stakeholders in the TICAD process.

The adopted declaration acknowledges the progress made since TICAD V, takes note of emerging development issue and international agreements on development matters and consequently outlines commitments. The document identifies key and strategic priority areas that would enable Africa transform its economies, promote a resilient health system and social stability.

The Ministerial Meeting followed the Senior Official Meeting that took place on the 24- 25 of August and will be followed by a two-day Summit from the 27-28 August 2016, to conclude TICAD-VI Summit.

HS/AMT

For inquires relating to TICAD-VI processes please contact:

Dr. Levi Uche Madueke

Head, Africa’s Strategic Partnerships

Bureau of the Chairperson

African Union Commission

Tel. +251912641293

E-mail: maduekel@africa-union.org.

Media Contact:

Ms. Afrah Thabit | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: thabitma@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int - Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: DIC@african-union.org | Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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