[Title] Address by H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, at the Closing Session of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V)

Your Majesties,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegations,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have now come to the Closing Session of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), which has spanned three days beginning on June 1. At this juncture I would like to deliver some remarks.

Under the theme of TICAD V, “Hand in hand with a more dynamic Africa,” we have had superb discussions from the various aspects of the economy, society, and peace, with the focus placed on Africa’s growth. As a Chair of this Conference I would like to thank all of you for your contributions.

In particular, I would like to commend H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, for serving alongside me as the Co-chair of this Conference, as well as Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Representative of the Government of Japan, a man I greatly respect who served as Acting Chair, for their outstanding handling of the proceedings of this Conference.

Through the lively discussions of the participants, this Conference succeeded in confirming our firm mutual determination to walk hand in hand together to enable the light of African growth to shine extensively onto every corner of the African continent.

We have compiled the results of our discussions over these three days into the “Yokohama Declaration 2013,” thereby bringing our admirable determination to fruition. We have also compiled the “Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017,” which serves as the guideposts for our concrete actions over these next five years. I would like to move forward with the solemn process of adopting these outcome documents of TICAD V together with you. I would ask those of you who support the adoption of these documents to kindly applaud.

Thank you very much. With that, these outcome documents have hereby been adopted.

Distinguished participants,

TICAD is a responsible forum. Based on the outcome documents that were adopted today, Japan will provide assistance that contributes to the promotion of measures to be conducted by Africa itself. And, once we have pledged something, we will most certainly carry it out, just as we have always done until now.

Furthermore, I intend to bring the goals stated in these outcome documents into realization through the cooperation of a wide spectrum of relevant actors in attendance at this meeting, including members of the donor community, the private sector and civil society, and others.

In addition, through the framework of the TICAD Follow-up Mechanism, we will steadily confirm the status of progress of Africa’s measures as well as the assistance measures to be conducted by Japan, relevant countries, international organizations, and so on.

Distinguished participants,

It is said that “the end of everything leads to a new beginning.” From today a new course forward with a dynamic Africa has begun. I would like for Japan to move forward with composed and surefooted steps hand in hand with you, aiming at the next 20 or 50 years.

Along that journey, beginning now, I am looking forward to the day that I am able to meet all of you again on African soil. I hope for that day to arrive as soon as possible.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Next, I would like to ask my Co-chair, His Excellency Mr. Hailemariam, to give his remarks on the closing of this Conference.