[Title] TICAD V Thematic Session 3: Towards the Post-2015 Development Agenda, H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

Your Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations,My dear friends of Africa,

I am truly honored to have an opportunity to discuss the post-twenty fifteen (2015)development agenda today, with the representatives from vibrant African nationsand development partners. I would like to pay tribute to the Secretary-General Mr.Ban Ki-Moon for his strong determination to achieve sustainable development, andto Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia for herleadership as one of the Co-Chairs of the Secretary General’s High-Level Panel ofthe Eminent Persons on this topic.

Japan has been leading the international discussion on the next framework. We areproud to have been taking various initiatives. For example, Japan has been makingsubstantive contributions through the informal Contact Group. Japan also raised theawareness of the international community by hosting related events on theoccasions of the UN General Assembly and the Annual Meeting of the IMF andWorld Bank held in Tokyo last year.

It is notable that the first thematic consultation led by the UN was also hosted inTokyo. Its theme, “Growth, Structural Change, and Employment,” is of particularimportance for us gathered here today. The theme is a key agenda for TICAD V. Iunderstand that it is also emphasised in the African common position on thedevelopment agenda beyond 2015.

Highlighting growth as the driver of development, generating employment,particularly for women and youth, and striving to achieve resilient and high-qualitysustainable growth will lead Africa to a brighter future. At the same time, it iscrucial for everyone to be able to participate in such a growth process and to begiven an equal opportunity. We need a new framework that pursues inclusivegrowth in a transformative manner.

Mr. Chair,

Building upon the strengths of the current Millennium Development Goals, thesuccessor framework should be simple, clear, easy-to-understand, and measurable.In addition, it should address the unfinished jobs of the current MDGs in astrengthened and improved manner. Also, it should address emerging challenges.

For example, in order to meet diversified health needs, we must aim at ensuringuniversal access to basic healthcare services. While we need to continue our effortsto reduce the maternal mortality ratio, we need to tackle emerging challenges suchas improving nutrition. To this end, the new framework should include thepromotion of Universal Health Coverage, which is also positioned as a priority inJapan’s Strategy on Global Health Diplomacy.Disaster risk reduction is another issue that the current MDGs have not addressedsufficiently. In Africa, many people have been affected by floods and droughts.About 90% of the victims of natural disasters live in developing countries. It is anurgent task to mainstream disaster risk reduction in development activities. Intwenty fifteen (2015), Japan will be hosting the Third World UN Conference on

Disaster Risk Reduction to further promote disaster risk reduction in theinternational community. At the same time, we would like to stress the importanceof fully incorporating disaster risk reduction in the global development agendabeyond twenty fifteen (2015). In so doing, it is crucial to ensure the new frameworkaddresses the issue of sustainability effectively.

Mr. Chair,

Human security plays an essential role as an overarching principle in addressing allthe aforementioned issues. By focusing on every individual, we can give dueconsideration to the nexus among various threats. Also we can promote acomprehensive approach, and encourage collaboration among a wide range ofstakeholders. Furthermore, by protecting and empowering individuals, and therebyachieving their proactive participation in community building, we can eradicatepoverty and bring sustained prosperity for all.

Of course, even if good goals and targets are set, the promises will turn out to benothing but pie in the sky, unless we ensure appropriate means of implementationto achieve them. Based on the ownership of developing countries and their ownpeople, it is essential for all stakeholders to establish genuine global partnership bysharing responsibilities in accordance with their capabilities.

Collaboration between Japan and African countries is extremely important. I havehigh hopes that, through our discussion today, TICAD V can deliver a strongmessage regarding the post-twenty fifteen (2015) development agenda and deepenour cooperation in establishing an effective framework based on human security.

Thank you very much.

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