from All Africa The Nation (Nairobi)By Godffrey OlaliNairobiCivil society groups have observed critical gaps in some key deliberations made at the recently concluded Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).The meeting which took place in Yokohama, Japan, between May 28 and 30, has met stiff criticism from key players, who are afraid that Tokyo might not be at a vantage position to present Africa's problems during next month's G8 summit in Japan."Japanese and African civil society have noted with disappointment the omission of civil society as participants in the proposal for the follow -up mechanism," observes Ms Sue Mbaya, an Advocacy director with World Vision, African region.She cited the trade agenda as a key issue which was not properly tackled during...
from All Africa New Vision (Kampala)By Felix OsikeKampalaJapan has launched a major economic and diplomatic strategy to tackle development in Africa.But questions are being asked why the world's second largest economy is evolving partnership with Africa.Heads of State and government from 52 African countries and other representatives of international organisations met last week in Yokohama to hammer out a blueprint for African development.Africa's influence in global affairs is rapidly growing. But it is the continent where the bottom billions of the world's poor live. Under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held every five years, Japan stresses the importance of Africa exercising full ownership of its own development agenda, while maintaining partnership...
from Gulf LiveBy TOMOKO A. HOSAKA YOKOHAMA, Japan - African leaders and international aid agencies implored developed nations Thursday to do more to help countries reeling from soaring food prices.Wealthy economies should keep providing emergency aid to the most-affected areas, but also steer funds to long-term projects in research and technology that would unlock Africa's "vast untapped agricultural potential," they said in a joint statement released at an African development conference hosted by Japan.High oil prices, surging demand, flawed trade policies, extreme weather, growth in biofuel production and speculation have inflated food prices worldwide, trigging protests from Africa to Asia and raising fears of widespread malnutrition and economic instability."The record high prices...
from the Japan TimesBy SETSUKO KAMIYA and JUN HONGOStaff writersAfrican leaders said Wednesday that while their nations have a responsibility to fight poverty and improve the living conditions of millions on the continent, its partners, including Japan and other affluent nations, must also lend a hand.During the afternoon session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, the leaders also pointed out that establishing and securing peace in troubled areas was crucial for development. The session centered on progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals adopted at the U.N. in 2000.The global community agreed to make a collective push to rectify chronic problems ranging from dire poverty and hunger to child mortality and HIV/AIDS by 2015."It is true that...
from AsahiBY TARO KARASAKI,Irungu Houghton, pan-African director for Oxfam International, the Britain-based group set up to fight poverty, says the quality of aid, not just the amount, should be a key factor in pledges of assistance to Africa. Oxfam Japan has been granted observer status to attend TICAD IV. Excerpts from a recent interview with The Asahi Shimbun follow:Q: What would you like to see achieved at the conference?A: TICAD is very established as a process to discuss development issues.Many African citizens expect the decisions that come out of it are going to lead to tangible results in poverty reduction in Africa. So there is an expectation that important decisions will be made.TICAD IV is happening in a context where, according to Oxfam research, there is a public mandate...