afrol News, 29 May - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has stressed need to increase international investment in Africa with the primary aim of ensuring peace and security in the impoverished continent. He also promised to increase Japan's cooperation with Africa.

Mr Fukuda said this yesterday when officially opening a three-day high level Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama where African and Japanese leaders are conferring on how to reach internationally agreed anti-poverty target goals - the so-called Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - by 2015.

He said Japan would improve corporation with Africa in the expansion of its infrastructure development. The Japanese leader has pledged a future support of four billion US dollars in financing of the improvement of the sector in Africa.

He also noted that the country would provide professional assistance to help enhance irrigation schemes in Africa, thus to sustain the continent's agriculture sector, which he explained was the core of two-thirds of the continent's population.

Japan would further assist Africa in the improvement of the supply of seeds and training of extension workers, he said. The Prime Minister added that measures Japan had taken to stabilise the hike in global prices of food, would ensure that the entire African continent benefited tremendously.

Speaking at the same occasion, deputy UN Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro appealed for an improved back up of the continent as it attempts to reach the set goals. Ms Migiro called for urgent action to keep African nations on track to achieve the goals, as she was concerned that none of them was anywhere near arriving at them. She added, "…with a concerted drive by African governments and their development partners, we can accomplish these goals for a better world."

40 African Heads of State have gathered in Yokohama for the event, hosted by the Japanese leader, Mr Fukuda. The event is co-organised by the Japanese government, the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank – kicked off with the theme, "Towards a vibrant Africa. A continent of hope and opportunity."

Participants, who also include high-level representatives from Asia and other regions, as well as heads of international agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), are to confer on how to ensure that Africa's vigorous economic growth is self-sustaining and inclusive to allow poor communities to reap benefits. The conference also is to discuss strategies to boost human security to allow people to live in dignity, free from fear and want.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is among the various African leaders and top-notch officials from 52 African countries attending the assembly. Mr Zenawi applauded Japan for its plan to help Africa meet the set goals, which includes targets in poverty reduction, expansion of education and health, gender and environmental protection.

For his part, the incumbent President of the African Union, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, said the TICAD was a true testimony of Japan's commitment for Africa's development. He said there has now prevailed in Africa a much better peace and security situation, a vision towards development, prosperity and conducive climate for all who want to invest in the continent, he said, and called for enhancement of partnership between Japan and Africa in trade and investment.

The conference was preceded on Tuesday, by a symposium organised by Japan's official international development aid agency (JICA) in which numerous African leaders participated, to address issues leading to the main event.

Launched in Tokyo in 1993, the TICAD aims to promote Africa development through ownership by the continent and stresses the importance of Asia-Africa cooperation.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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