[Title] Communiqué of the Third TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting
The Ministers and delegations of African countries and TICAD co-organizers, namely the Government of Japan, United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC), together with representatives of other partner countries, international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations, met in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, on May 1-2, 2011, at the Third TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting, in order to review progress on the implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan issued at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), and to discuss the future of the TICAD process as well as the mutually interlinked agenda items described in I through IV below.
The meeting was officially opened by H.E. Mr. Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal, and was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Madické Niang, Senior Minister; Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal.
Japan expressed its deep appreciation for the support and solidarity rendered by African countries and the international community after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. The Participants commended Japan's expressed determination towards both reconstruction and continuing fulfillment of its role as a leading member of the international community. Moreover, the Participants again extended their sympathy, solidarity and support to the Government and the people of Japan as they work towards recovery and reconstruction from the disaster.
The Participants warmly welcomed the AUC in its new role as a TICAD co-organizer and welcomed the added impetus this development would bring in terms of enhancing and further reinforcing African ownership and partnership within the TICAD Process.
As multiple important international fora - whose agenda closely relate to the issues addressed in this meeting - are scheduled to take place later this year and in early 2012, the Participants issued this Communiqué as further input to these fora, reflecting the perspective of both the African countries and their development partners.
The Participants expressed their sincere gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Senegal for their warm hospitality and the excellent facilities and services they made available throughout the meeting.
I. Status of Progress on Implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan and the Future of the TICAD Process
The Participants highly appreciated the Government of Japan's expression of determination to continue to faithfully implement the comprehensive pledges made at TICAD IV.
The Participants welcomed the positive progress observed in the implementation of both the Yokohama Action Plan adopted at TICAD IV in 2008 and the additional pledges made by the Government of Japan at the second TICAD IV Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in Arusha in 2010.
The Participants reaffirmed their recognition of the TICAD Follow-up Mechanism as a model for enhancing accountability and transparency with regard to the implementation of commitments.
The Participants welcomed Japan's willingness to share with the international community the experiences gained through the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as to further contribute to international efforts toward strengthening capabilities of natural disaster risk management and enhancing the safety of nuclear power plants. In this connection, the Participants welcomed a proposal by the Government of Japan to convene a seminar during 2011 on the theme of "Creating Resilient Economies and Societies" and to invite officials of African governments who are responsible for disaster risk management to Japan.
Regarding the future of the TICAD process, the Participants welcomed the valuable views presented at this meeting and took note of the proposal that, in the future, the TICAD process should increase its focus on accelerating growth in African countries that is more inclusive, sustainable, and economically, socially and environmentally balanced, in close collaboration and synergy with diverse players including other parties engaged in Asia-African cooperation, the private sector, and civil society.
II. Toward Robust, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth of Africa's Economy
The Participants commended Africa's encouraging and steady growth in recent years and its substantial recovery from the global economic crisis. Recognizing that social and political stability provides the foundation for sustainable economic growth, the Participants welcomed African governments' commitment, with "inclusiveness" as a key concept, to increase efforts to ensure inter alia good governance, human resource development, gender equality and poverty reduction through income and job creation, with a focus on the vulnerable, the marginalized and youth.
The Participants recognized the importance of the TICAD approach to realize the robust, inclusive and equitable growth of Africa. This approach includes the promotion of free movement of goods, services and people throughout Africa by placing strong emphasis on the deepening of regional integration, the development of regional infrastructure, as well as the enhancement of food security through investment in agricultural development by both African countries themselves and their development partners. The Participants recognized the importance of strengthening their cooperation in these areas and acknowledged the need for even better coordination between the TICAD process and the revised AU/NEPAD Africa Action Plan (AAP) 2010-2015.
The Participants reaffirmed the importance of sound macroeconomic policies and strengthened governmental capacity for economic development. They also recognized the need for continued reforms to create an environment which is conducive to private sector activity and investment that will engender more vigorous and sustainable growth of Africa's economies. In this context, the Participants recalled the paragraph 3.6 of the Yokohama Declaration. They also welcomed the positive outcome of the efforts made within the TICAD process, such as strengthening public-private partnership, in order to increase trade and investment in Africa from the Japanese private sector.
III. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
While the Participants welcomed the progress made towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in some African countries, they recognized that achieving these goals continues to be a significant challenge and that serious disparities persist. They shared the view that reaching and empowering the most vulnerable communities and reducing inequality directly give positive impact on the full achievement of the MDGs. In this regard, the Participants requested African development partners to fully deliver the commitments made.
The Participants appreciated the Kan Commitment, announced by Japan in 2010 to articulate Japan's assistance policy in the areas of health and education. They also confirmed the importance of continuing efforts across a broader range of fields, including inter alia infrastructure and agriculture to realize human security.
The Participants appreciated and welcomed Japan's announcement to hold the MDGs Follow-up Meeting on June 2-3, 2011, in Tokyo, and confirmed the importance of in-depth discussion on genuinely effective methods to be pursued in the five years remaining to achieve the MDGs, including an equity-focused approach that can be cost-effective. Further, the Participants recognized the importance of maintaining the international consensus on the development agenda, including sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and expressed their expectation that some preliminary discussions on "beyond 2015" would be commenced at the MDGs Follow-up Meeting as an important stepping stone.
IV. Cooperation with Africa in Efforts to Address Global Challenges
The Participants confirmed that stability, prevention of conflict, the consolidation of peace, humanitarian assistance, the promotion of democracy and good governance are critical issues/areas for the development of the African continent and for the rest of the world. They commended valuable efforts being made by TICAD partners, including the United Nations, the AUC, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and by individual African Governments and other stakeholders in the promotion, safeguarding and consolidation of the issues/areas above.
The Participants commended Africa's aspiration to democracy, good governance and a more inclusive and equitable development model, and confirmed that TICAD partners will continue to be engaged in supporting Africa's own efforts regarding the above-mentioned issues/areas, paying particular attention to human security and addressing vulnerability.
The Participants acknowledged the value of intensified regular dialogue between TICAD partners, inter alia between Africa and Japan, on global issues of mutual interest and concern, and shared the view that consideration should be given as to how such a dialogue could best be incorporated into the TICAD Process.
The Participants emphasized the importance of the early reform of the UN bodies including the Security Council to better meet the international environment of the 21st century. The Participants reemphasized that the member states should exert utmost efforts on the Security Council reform during the current session of the UN General Assembly.
The Participants shared the concern that climate change has serious adverse effects on Africa, and also acknowledged Africa's large potential for low-carbon growth. In this regard, the Participants are determined to work together to operationalize the Cancun Agreements, reaffirming the importance of making their utmost efforts to bring a successful outcome at COP17 to be held in Durban, South Africa, at the end of 2011.
To lift the African economy onto an ascending trajectory with green technologies, the Participants recognized the value of making use of Japan's advanced technologies and expertise, through public and private initiatives for cooperation on climate change. The Participants welcomed the expeditious and steady implementation of Japan's Fast-Start Financing on climate change. The Participants also welcomed Japan's announcement of its intention to strengthen policy dialogue on climate change with African countries, and requested African development partners to continue or increase assistance in response to the needs of African countries beyond 2012.
The Participants recognized the value of building a shared medium- and long-term vision to promote sustainable and low-carbon growth in Africa, and are determined to commence work to prepare a "Low-Carbon Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy in Africa." They also recognized that such a strategy should correspond with the needs and priorities of African countries that are in different development stages and accordingly have differing mitigation/adaptation needs. To promote this task, the Participants shared the view that meetings of relevant parties, particularly African countries, should be organized within the course of 2011, with a view to preparing an interim progress report for the 4th TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in 2012, and a final report at an appropriate time during 2012.