President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Japan ahead of Tokyo International Conference on African Development

Yokohama- President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Yokohama today, Tuesday 27 May, where he will join AU Chairperson Jikaya Kikwete and other African leaders in attending the 4th Session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development scheduled for Tuesday-Friday 27-30 May 2008. President Mbeki is supported in this regard by Ministers Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Marthinus van Schalkwyk,

The Conference on African Development, being held under the theme “Towards a Vibrant Africa: Continent of Hope and Opportunity” began earlier on Tuesday with a Ministerial segment, as part of preparation for the meeting of Heads of State and Government and to which South Africa was represented by Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa’s Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Ben Ngubane and Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General Jerry Matjila.

In this regard, President Mbeki is expected to address the Conference on Wednesday 28 May on the issue of Boosting Economic Growth. During his visit to Japan, President Mbeki is expected to hold a number of bilateral discussions on matters of mutual interests including:

• Prime Minister of Japan-Yasuo Fukuda
• President of Rwanda-Paul Kagame
• President of Sudan Omar Elbashir.
• Cote d’ Ivoire’s Leader of Delegation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Dlamini Zuma on the other hand will among others hold bilateral discussions with:

• Japanese Foreign Minister-Masihiko Koumura
• Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit
• A Representative of the Japanese Oil Gas and National Co-operation

Meanwhile, former National Assembly Speaker, Dr. Frene Ginwala was today, Tuesday 27 May awarded the Emperor of Japan’s Highest Honour -the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on the margins of the Conference in Yokohama. She was bestowed the honour for her outstanding contribution to the TICAD process since 1994.

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development is organized around four themes namely: Boosting Economic Growth; Ensuring Human Security (focusing on achieving Millennium Development Goals and the Consolidation of Peace and Good Governance); Addressing Environmental Issues/Climate Change; Expanding Partnership (focusing on Asia-Africa co-operation and Private-Public Partnership).

Other cross cutting issues expected to be addressed include:

• Enhanced co-ordination with the AU, Nepad and Regional Economic Communities
• Support South-South and triangular co-operation in particular Asia-Africa and intra-Africa cooperation
• Human resources development, institutional capacity building and community empowerment
• Support to improve governance and rule of law
• Collaboration with the private sector, private foundations and civil society organizations.

The Conference will conclude its deliberations with the adoption of the Yokohama Declaration, Plan of Action and Follow-up Mechanism.

President Mbeki and his delegation is expected to return to South Africa on 30 May

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
27 May 2008