Japan to pursue youth and women empowerment in Africa says Shimizu

H. E. Fumio SHIMIZU, Japan's Ambassador to the AU

The Ambassador of Japan to the African Union (AU), H. E. Fumio SHIMIZU has promised that Japan will continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of Africa and will increase its financial contributions to the continent.

Ambassador SHIMIZU stated this while delivering a message of solidarity at the opening of the Third Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Pan African Parliament at the parliament’s seat in Midrand, South Africa on Monday. He announced that Japan will soon unveil measures aimed at empowering women and youths in the continent to enable them to take advantage of the business opportunities that abound in the continent.

“Japan will contribute to the building of a resilient society in Africa including pursuing universal health coverage for vulnerable persons”.

Rt Hon. Jeanine Mabunda LIOKO 

He also disclosed that Japan will contribute to assist in combating climate change through her technical capabilities as well as work with the AU to support Africa’s effort at conflict resolution and enhance people to people exchanges, including parliamentary exchanges.

Also addressing the PAP opening session, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rt Hon. Jeanine Mabunda LIOKO who is the first female to be elected speaker of that Assembly since independence, called on African leaders to work together to ensure that the Mediterranean Sea no longer serves as a cemetery for African youths seeking greener pastures in Europe. She called for the formulation of policies to improve the economic fortunes of African countries.

Rt. Hon. LIOKO also called on African countries that are yet to ratify the PAP/ Malabo Protocol to do so to enable PAP to play its expected role in the continent.