Yokohama city: The Angolan Head of State and acting chairperson of the African Union (AU), Joo Louren§o, initiated his official agenda in Yokohama City with a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, to address matters of mutual interest. This meeting marks the beginning of Louren§o's visit, which will include significant engagements focusing on Africa's development.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the bilateral meeting will set the stage for the opening session of the 9th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which Louren§o will co-chair in his capacity as the AU leader. The opening ceremony will feature speeches by both leaders, alongside addresses from representatives of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank (WB).
Joo Louren§o has been in Japan since Monday, accompanied by First Lady Ana Dias Louren§o. As a co-organizer of TICAD9 on behalf of the African Union, Louren§o is participating in this government initiative that has been promoting African development for over 30 years. Co-organizers of the event include Japan, the African Union Commission, the United Nations, UNDP, and the World Bank.
Following the plenary sessions, where conclusions will be presented, Louren§o's schedule includes a meeting with the CEO of Toyota Tsusho Corporation and the signing of several agreements. TICAD9 aims to identify effective strategies to promote Africa's development, considering both the international environment and the continent's progress.
The conference will explore solutions to challenges faced by Africa and the international community, aiming to enhance cooperation and strengthen global governance. Discussions will focus on society, peace and stability, and economy, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships, youth and women, regional integration, and connectivity.
Japanese authorities have highlighted the event's focus on Africa's economic development, noting a shift in cooperation priorities over the past decade from basic healthcare and infrastructure to sustainable economic growth initiatives. Since its inception in 1993 in Tokyo, TICAD has alternated between Japan and Africa, with previous editions held in Yokohama in 2008 and 2013, Nairobi in 2016, and Tunis in 2022, making this the third time Yokohama hosts the event.
