[Title] Address by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Kazuyuki Nakane, on the Occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (Bandung Conference)

1 Introduction

Her Excellency, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ms. Retno Marsudi, Ministers of Asian and African countries, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to offer my gratitude to Indonesia for hosting this round of the commemorative conference, and for their contribution to the growth of the Asia-Africa partnership. At the Bandung Conference 60 years ago, Japan

expressed its determination to strive for national development as a peace-loving nation. It has been 60 years, and the fast-growing nations of Asia and Africa are still showing great potential for growth. This year marks a critical juncture, and I would like to take this opportunity to further strengthen Asia-Africa solidarity.

2 Japan's Cooperation with Asia and Africa, "Proactive Contribution to Peace"

(1) Development Cooperation – Economic Partnership

Madame Chair,

Over the past 60 years Japan has been working hand in hand with Asian partners for the development of the region. Japan's ODA has contributed to development of infrastructure, human resources, and improvement of investment environment. Japan's ODA has also leveraged and attracted private sector investment, expanded employment opportunities, facilitated technology transfer, and contributed to the sustainable growth of Asia.

With regard to growth for Africa, Japan sees African nations as important business partners. Through "the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)" with history of over 20 years, and taking advantage of our experience in Asia, Japan will continue to contribute for development of

infrastructure and human resource and "Quality Growth" in Africa, through investment and trade promotion by public-private partnerships.

To realize peace and stability of the Middle East, Japan has been making active contributions over the years, to nation building and human resource development in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan and other parts of the region.

Japan will further contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and international community, from the policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation.

Moving forward, in order to realize "Quality Growth" which values inclusiveness, sustainability and resilience and to advance human security in all these regions, Japan will expand multi-layered cooperation to promote making use of ODA as leverage to attract trade and investment, public-private partnerships especially for quality infrastructure development, development of industries including agriculture and fishery, human resource development and universal health coverage (UHC).

(2) Contributing to Peace and Stability, and Counterterrorism

Madame Chair,

For the type of economic development I am speaking about to be successful, peace and stability are essential prerequisites. Japan has promoted persistence of the rule of law, dialogues and trust-building in the regions.

In Asia, we have worked for peace building, national reconciliation and democratization in Cambodia, Myanmar, Mindanao of the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Japan will host "High-Level Seminar on Peacebuilding, National Reconciliation and Democratization in Asia" on this June in Tokyo.

In Africa, we are working towards the preservation of peace and stability, through assistance to PKO Training Centers , dispatching our Self Defense Forces to the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) and the counter piracy

activities off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

In order to restore dynamism and stability in the Middle East, Japan will promote the three-pronged approach of (1)strengthening counter-terrorism measures such as border control, (2) enhancing diplomacy towards stability and prosperity in the Middle East including expansion of humanitarian assistance and (3) assistance in creating societies resilient to radicalization.

Japan has been enhancing its unique efforts to achieve Middle East peace, including the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity", initiative working together with partners of the Middle East and Asia. As part of such effort, "the Conference on Cooperation among the East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD)" is an initiative to utilize Asian wisdom and experience to contribute to the development of Palestine. We believe this CEAPAD initiative exactly reflects the spirit of the Bandung Conference.

(3) Common Challenges facing Asia and Africa

Madame Chair,

Our regions still face the common challenges.

To combat infectious diseases, Japan has contributed through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, provision of 173 million US dollars and personal protective equipment, dispatch experts and contribution on research and development to combat Ebola virus disease. With regard to universal health coverage (UHC), we are supporting to build strong and resilient health systems and to share lessons-learned from individual country case studies.

In terms of the empowerment of women, Japan will hold "International Symposium on a Society Where Women Shine, World Assembly for Women (WAW!) every year, and we contribute to UN-Women as well as the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

With regard to disaster risk reduction, Japan announced "Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction" including cooperation totaling to 4 billion US dollars and training of 40 thousand government officials and local leaders from 2015 to 2018, through effectively combining (1) non-material assistance,

(2) material assistance and (3) global and region-wide cooperation.

In Japan, there is an anecdote on a big tsunami occurred on November 5, 1854, where successful evacuation saved many lives. We suggest the establishment of the World Tsunami Day on November 5th to deepen understanding and enhance interests in the threat of tsunami and countermeasures against it as a common challenge for the world.

We also promote triangle cooperation to tackle common issues of Asia and Africa. Sharing of knowledge and experience is the key. Japan will support South-South Cooperation, taking advantage of its experience especially in the field of health, education and agriculture.

Lastly, this year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference as well as the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The reform of the UN Security Council is absolutely essential in order to reflect the realities of the international community, including significant rise of Asia and Africa. Japan will

cooperate with all countries present today to achieve concrete outcomes this year.

3 Conclusion

Madame Chair,

The core principles of the spirit of Bandung are solidarity, friendship and cooperation. Moving forward, I would like to see further mutual understanding between Asia and Africa, based on the Bandung spirit.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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