2ND LD: Africa, Asia eager to boost cooperation, promote trade

Asian Economic News, Oct 6, 2003

TOKYO, Sept. 30 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING, UPDATING WITH MORE SESSIONS)

African and Asian countries expressed interest and eagerness in a meeting Tuesday to enhance partnerships, especially in trade and investment, and to continue to share development experiences as part of global efforts for sustainable development in Africa.

Developing the agricultural sector, consolidating peace and halting the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS, and eradicating poverty are top priorities for development in the continent, African leaders and international delegates said in discussions at the third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

The three-day conference, which opened on Monday, is of unprecedented scale in Japan's diplomatic history, bringing together 23 African leaders and over 1,000 participants.

African representatives expressed eagerness to continue learning from Asia's experiences and approaches, and Asian delegates said they were ready to promote trade and assist in fields such as human resources development to reinforce increasing South-South cooperation, a main pillar of TICAD.

''Asia has the most successful development experience of the second half of the 20th century,'' Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in an afternoon session. ''Africa has to reexamine its development agenda and design a home-grown path...Africa can and should learn from those who have a record of spectacular success.''

Representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam said they were prepared to share their experiences in areas such as agricultural development, education and health policies, and to promote trade and investment to Africa.

Participants also emphasized the need to promote private-sector exchanges between Asia and Africa to find new resources, according to a Foreign Ministry official.

Delegates also noted the importance of enhancing intra-Africa cooperation, such as through consolidating sub-regional economic groupings and sharing development experiences within the continent.

On issues vital for African growth, participants said agricultural development is a necessity for the continent and believed it can be achieved by creating the right conditions for farmers to increase their productivity.

The rapid spread of HIV and AIDS was recognized by delegates not only as a health concern but also as a threat that undermines social and economic gains in Africa. They urged that more attention be paid to social and health issues, often neglected in mainstream development policies, in future discussions.

Throughout Africa, around 30 million people have HIV or AIDS and about 40 million are suffering from hunger. Close to half of sub-Saharan Africans still suffer from absolute poverty and live on less than $1 a day.

The conference, which has been held once every five years since 1993, opened Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi committing $1 billion in grant aid for Africa over the next five years and pledging to co-organize a TICAD Asia-Africa trade and investment conference next year.

African government delegates and representatives from regional and international grassroots groups also discussed contributions from civil society to African development. A Japanese group presented a proposal for joint efforts on priority issues including AIDS and education.

On the sidelines of the conference, Koizumi held bilateral talks with the presidents of Senegal and Uganda respectively on Tuesday. He met with the other 21 African leaders on Sunday and Monday, where he promised to continue providing aid and also expressed his intention to tour the continent.

On Monday, donor countries including Japan, France and the United States expressed support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), an African-led initiative of self-help efforts.

At the event's close on Wednesday, participants are expected to adopt a TICAD 10th Anniversary Declaration containing their political commitments to support NEPAD and measures Africa and its partners must take to achieve sustainable development.

TICAD Chairman and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori will present a summary of proceedings to conclude the conference.

Japan launched the summit in 1993 to help keep the international spotlight on Africa after the Cold War. The framework has since promoted policy dialogue between African countries and their partners.