Yokohama: The Kuwaiti participation in the upcoming Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) is deemed important, as it falls within the framework of strengthening bilateral development cooperation, stated Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait Mukai Kenichiro. The conference is scheduled to be held in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20 to 22, 2025, under the theme "Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa."
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ambassador Mukai emphasized the significance of collaboration between Japan and Kuwait in the context of TICAD 9, highlighting the participation of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in the conference. He noted that this collaboration was reinforced by a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed during the recent visit of His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Japan in May 2025. This MoC between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and KFAED aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of development.
Ambassador Mukai pointed out that the conference would be the first meeting focused on development since the MoC's signing, serving as a platform for sharing visions and identifying steps for further practical collaboration. The areas of cooperation will include exchanging information, conducting consultations, and jointly identifying potential projects.
The ambassador also mentioned that the MoC lays a foundation for various activities and collaborations, such as jointly aiding third countries in the region, including Africa, and delivering capacity-building workshops in Japan. He stressed that KFAED's participation, bolstered by its extensive experience in the development sector, would enhance TICAD 9's influence and importance in fostering resilient and sustainable growth in Africa.
Ambassador Mukai reaffirmed Japan's commitment to deepening its partnership with Kuwait and relevant stakeholders to undertake efforts for a sustainable future in Africa and globally. He expressed that the renewed partnership between JICA and KFAED aims to address economic, social, and environmental challenges in Africa, thereby strengthening the partnership between Japan and Kuwait.
TICAD, led by the Japanese government since 1993, focuses on promoting Africa-led sustainable development under the principles of African ownership and international partnership. It provides a platform for stakeholders, including African countries, development partners, donor countries, and various organizations, to discuss responses to complex regional and international challenges. Japan plays a central role in hosting the forum and actively develops cooperative relationships with international partners to amplify the impact of cooperation in Africa.