On August 24, commencing at 4:06 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Frederick Musiiwa Makamure SHAVA, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe, who is visiting Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa congratulated Zimbabwe on its assumption of the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and expressed her intention to cooperate not only bilaterally but also in the context of the Southern African region. Minister Kamikawa also informed that Japan provided approximately 5,800 tons of fertilizer and decided to implement food aid program to Zimbabwe, which is suffering from severe food insecurity due to drought. In response, Minister Shava expressed his gratitude for Japan’s assistance to Zimbabwe and explained his country’s efforts as the SADC chair-country.
Minister Kamikawa then asked for continued cooperation for the stable supply of petalite produced in Zimbabwe and welcomed Zimbabwe’s participation in the pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The two ministers shared their view to further strengthen bilateral economic relations, including the agricultural sector.

The two ministers confirmed that they would further develop Japan-Zimbabwe relations towards TICAD 9 in the coming year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

On August 24, commencing at 3:30 p.m. (for approximately 15 minutes), Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Louis Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles. The overview is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her expectations for further development of bilateral relations through the upgrading of the Embassy of Japan in Seychelles in January this year, and congratulated Seychelles on its appointment as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). Minister Kamikawa also stated that strengthening connectivity, which Seychelles emphasizes as the IOC chair country, is an important theme of this TICAD Ministerial Meeting and is also important from the perspective of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP), which Japan is promoting. She then conveyed her intention to work together with Seychelles as a common maritime nation. In response, Minister Radegonde expressed his gratitude for the support in human resource development and other areas, referring to the favorable bilateral relations.
Minister Kamikawa continued by referring to the efforts of the two countries in maritime security, including friendship training and support for capacity building of maritime law enforcement agencies. In response, Minister Radegonde expressed gratitude for Japan’s cooperation to date, and the two ministers concurred on the recognition that a free and open international order based on the rule of law is essential and they will continue to work together.
The two ministers confirmed that Japan-Seychelles relations will be further developed towards TICAD9 in the coming year.
The two ministers exchanged views on international cooperation in such areas as Security Council reform, the situation in Ukraine, the situation in North Korea, including the abductions issue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

On August 24, commencing at 11:20 a.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. FUKAZAWA Yoichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Mari-Cruz Evna Andeme, Secretary of State for International Organizations of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, visiting Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Fukazawa stated that Japan appointed an Honorary Consul to Malabo for the first time in May this year, and that he expressed his expectation that this appointment would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
In response, H.E. Ms. Evna Andeme expressed her appreciation for Japan’s support to date and her desire to continue favorable bilateral relations.
The two sides confirmed the further deepening of Japan-Equatorial Guinea relations toward TICAD 9 next year.

The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including Security Council reform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

President Wavel Ramkalawan, alongside Minister for Land and Housing, Mr. Billy Rangasamy, presided over the inauguration of the “Vilaz Lanmitye” Housing Estate in Port Glaud yesterday afternoon. The newly completed estate adds six housing units to the 19 already allocated to tenants in March 2022, during the post-COVID-19 recovery period.

The new residents, many of whom are former inhabitants of the area, have actively participated in the Home Savings Scheme (HSS). The project, executed by Allied Builders Company Ltd, was entirely funded by the Government of Seychelles, with a total investment of SCR 29,861,374.06.

The ceremony featured the symbolic handover of keys to the new tenants, marking their official transition into the estate. A commemorative plaque was unveiled by President Ramkalawan and Minister Rangasamy, celebrating this significant milestone in the country’s housing development efforts.

In his address, Minister Rangasamy reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to meeting the housing needs of its citizens and enhancing their quality of life. He called on the new residents to maintain their homes to high standards, setting an example for what “Vilaz Lanmitye” can achieve as a model community within Seychelles.

“It is crucial that we maintain the beauty of this village. This substantial investment by the government requires diligent upkeep to become a model for the nation,” Minister Rangasamy stated.

The ceremony was attended by Member of the National Assembly for the Port Glaud District, Mr. Egbert Aglae, Principal Secretary for Housing, Mr. Jude Florentine, Chief Executive Officer of SIA, Mr. Jitesh Shah, District Administrators, officials from the Ministry of Land and Housing, new residents of Vilaz Lanmitye Estate and other distinguished guests.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.