A High-Level Consultation with African Permanent Representatives to the UN

On December 9th, 2025, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, a High-Level Consultation with the Ambassadors of several African missions to the UN to follow up on TICAD9 was held under the joint auspices of the Government of Japan and TICAD co-organizers – the UN, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). A summary of the event is as follows:
 

1. Mr. YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations highlighted the following: Mobilizing private finance to supplement limited development funding is essential for achieving sustainable growth in Africa. TICAD can help bridge the SDG financing gap on the continent by promoting strategic partnerships among African countries, international development institutions, and private investors. TICAD not only delivers tangible benefits to African countries but also supports the United Nations’ efforts.

 

2. Mr. IMAFUKU Takao, Director-General, Department of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), participated online and highlighted the following: TICAD has consistently upheld the principles of African “ownership” and international “partnership,” functioning as a key platform to advance Africa’s development. He also highlighted the main outcomes of TICAD9, held in Yokohama in August, including the TICAD9 Yokohama Declaration agreed upon by participating Heads of State and various initiatives launched by Japan during the conference.

 

3. A discussion session moderated by Mr. Mateus Luemba, Deputy Permanent Representative of Angola to the UN, and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator, and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP, focused on the follow-up to TICAD9 and the mobilization of private finance, which is essential for sustainable growth in Africa. Participants, including UN Permanent Representatives from various African countries and TICAD co-organizers, emphasized the importance of private financing, noting that it not only creates business and employment opportunities and promotes self-sustaining economic growth, but also drives efficient and innovative development through investments in new technologies and startups. In addition, many valuable views were shared regarding TICAD’s past achievements and future follow-up actions.

 
TICAD Presentation Materials: Presentation slides by Mr. IMAFUKU, Director-General, Department of African Affairs, MOFA (PDF)
 
【Reference】Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)
TICAD stands for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, an international conference focused on Africa’s development. Since 1993, TICAD has been led by the Government of Japan in partnership with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). The 9th TICAD (TICAD9) was held in Yokohama from 20 to 22 August 2025.