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[Provisional Translation]

On August 25 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traveled to Nairobi in the Republic of Kenya to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and other events.

On the next day, August 26 (local time), the Prime Minister offered flowers at the mausoleum of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya, with H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, and then attended a welcome ceremony, followed by a Japan-Kenya joint press announcement. Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe held talks with H.E. Professor Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea and H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, respectively. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe also held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister attended a High-level Panel on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa, and then held talks with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and H.E. Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, respectively.

In the evening, the Prime Minister hosted a working dinner, to which he invited countries from southern and central Africa.

At the Japan-Kenya joint press announcement, the Prime Minister said,

“First, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the welcome I have received from President Kenyatta, his wife, the Government of Kenya, and the people of Kenya.

President Kenyatta attended the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai in March of last year, and I held a summit meeting and banquet with him in Tokyo at that time. In addition, I also met with him at the United Nations General Assembly. I am truly overjoyed to meet with him again here for the first time since September.

At TICAD V, held three years ago, many African leaders told us of their desire to hold a TICAD meeting in Africa. Hearing that, I understood and realized what a logical suggestion this was. Thus, I am truly happy to have received the tremendous cooperation of President Kenyatta this time in holding TICAD here in Africa.

This TICAD meeting is a historic one, as the first TICAD to be held in Africa. Japan is of the mind to move forward hand in hand with Africa, to help Africa achieve the dreams of its own making. TICAD makes a strong push for these efforts. I think that Japan can make a great contribution to Africa through our high quality technology and commitment to human resource development. I want to make the historic summit meetings here a success, together with our host, President Kenyatta.

As I just said, Japan wants to cooperate on technology and the fostering of human resources; we want to help you to realize the dreams of Africa, which continues to grow at a rapid pace. And, for example, I think that rapid increases in productivity in the agricultural sector will lead to the fulfillment of the dreams of the people, and that in turn will lead to a more stable region and countries.

In addition, I think that industrialization is an extremely important key to growth. Japan hopes to cooperate with Kenya and Africa to resolve the various issues and problems that come along with industrialization, which were pointed out by President Kenyatta. The business mission that has accompanied me to TICAD VI comprises 75 companies, and includes people such as Chairman Sakakibara of Keidanren. Japanese companies have strong interest in growth in Africa. We will contribute to African development through public-private collaborations.

This visit to Kenya is my first in 15 years. I accompanied Prime Minister Mori on his visit 15 years ago. I sat just over there, and I remember watching him give a speech over here. I want to again express my gratitude for the invitation this time as a state guest.

I hope to use the momentum gained from this opportunity to accelerate the development of bilateral relations between our countries.”

In addition, at the working dinner to which countries from southern and central Africa were invited, the Prime Minister said,

“Thank you for gathering here tonight despite your busy schedules. I am extremely happy to be able to meet with so many of my African friends at this TICAD VI meeting, the fist TICAD in Africa.

In addition to individual countermeasures by each country, regional initiatives are crucial if we are to resolve the issues faced by Africa that have come about since TICAD V, including the decline in global commodity prices, and the spread of Ebola virus disease. The initiatives concerning the key priority areas of TICAD VI include the promotion of high quality infrastructure investment, the promotion of universal health coverage, and the creation of jobs through skills training. Each of these initiatives, for which we hope to utilize the strengths of Japan to the greatest possible extent, will have a regional impact.

Today, we have gathered the leaders of all member nations of two important African regional economic communities (RECs), namely, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

In particular, I hope that this will be an opportunity to learn about the initiatives that have been undertaken in each region since TICAD V on the various issues facing Africa, and deepen discussion on ways to strengthen cooperation between Japan and RECs.

Southern and central Africa both possess a wealth of natural resources and great potential. Many of the companies accompanying me on this trip have deep interest in both regions. In order to help promote the diversification and industrialization of the economies of these regions, Japan is undertaking a variety of cooperative initiatives toward the strengthening of regional lines of collaboration, including the promotion of high-quality infrastructure investment in line with the G7 Ise-Shima Principles, the establishment of the strategic Master Plan for the Nacala Corridor, and support for One Stop Border Posts. I hope that these Japanese initiatives help to heighten the charms of this region, and contribute to further regional development.

Initiatives to strengthen economic relations with regions outside southern and central Africa are also important. I understand that SADC has in recent years been promoting the creation of an environment for the promotion of free trade with other regions, including through initiatives to establish free trade zones with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and East African Community (EAC).

These initiatives are desired by Japanese companies looking to expand in these regions as well. I expect that SADC’s efforts to expand the network of free trade areas in Africa will encourage further investment in this region in the future.

Additionally, peace and stability are indispensable for economic development. ECCAS is contributing to the promotion of regional peace and stability in central Africa. ECCAS is strengthening initiatives on many issues, including conflict prevention, peaceful resolution, and the support of election processes.

I expect that these regional initiatives will be linked up with initiatives from neighboring regions, and that we will see the further strengthening of social stability measures, as well as international organized crime and piracy countermeasures.”