On August 23, commencing at 1:35 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Olushegun ADJADI BAKARI, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin who is visiting Japan to participate in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the talk is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa, paying tribute to Benin’s stable management of the economy, noted that Benin, which continues to achieve high growth, is attracting the attention of Japanese companies with an eye on the Francophone African market of 400 million people, and emphasized the importance that Japan attaches to its relationship with Benin. In response, Minister Adjadi Bakari welcomed the growing interest of Japanese companies and expressed expectations for strengthening bilateral economic relations. In addition, Minister Adjadi Bakari expressed appreciation for Japan’s support so far, explained the reforms Benin is undertaking and expressed an intention to further enhance their bilateral cooperative relationship, taking advantage of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan is working on increasing green growth in the West African region through cooperation in Benin’s electric power sector, and on improving sanitation and hygiene conditions for displaced persons toward the realization of peace and stability in the Sahel region and the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
The two ministers confirmed the further deepening of Japan-Benin relations toward TICAD 9 next year.
The two ministers also exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including Security Council reform, the situation in Ukraine and North Korea, including the abductions issue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

On August 23, commencing at 11:10 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Mrs. Damtien L. TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice President of ECOWAS, 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, State Minister Tsuji expressed his gratitude with ECOWAS for its leadership in economic integration in West Africa.
In response, Mrs. Tchintchibidja expressed her appreciation for Japan’s contribution to ECOWAS and stated that ECOWAS would continue to work toward economic integration, peace and stability in West Africa.
The two sides agreed to continue to work together for strengthening connectivity in West Africa, as well as to work together for peace and stability and economic cooperation.
The two sides confirmed the further deepening of Japan-ECOWAS relations toward TICAD 9 next year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

On August 23, commencing at 10:05 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Hon. Mrs. Francess Piagie ALGHALI, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, 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, State Minister Tsuji expressed his gratitude to Sierra Leone for its close cooperation with Japan as a key member of the C10 countries, including in the areas of Security Council reform.
In response, Hon. Mrs. ALGHALI expressed her appreciation for Japan’s efforts through TICAD and her desire to continue cooperation in the international arena, especially in the area of WPS.
The two sides shared the importance of investment for economic development and confirmed that they would continue to work closely together to strengthen economic relations.
The two sides confirmed the further deepening of Japan- Sierra Leone relations toward TICAD 9 next year.

(Reference) C10 (Committee of Ten)

Established at the 4th Special Session of the AU General Assembly in August 2005, C10 consists of two heads of state from each of the five African regions and is tasked with encouraging other UN member states to support the African Common Position (note: Africa requires two permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats (existing three plus two new seats)). The committee is charged with lobbying other UN member states in order to gain their support for a common African position.

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

By order of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan received, on Friday at the Royal Palace in Tetouan, the Al-Quds children taking part in the 15th edition of the summer camps organized by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency.

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, this Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif initiative reflects the constant support of His Majesty the King, may God preserve Him, for the Holy City and its inhabitants.

It reinforces the Agency’s action, dedicated to supporting the Holy City of Al-Quds and its inhabitants through multiple projects that have a significant impact on the population, particularly women, children and people in difficult situation.

Named “Yacoub Al-Mansour Al-Mouahidi”, this edition, organized from August 09 to 26, benefits, as in previous editions, 50 children (girls and boys) from Al-Quds, aged 11 to 14, accompanied by 5 supervisors also from the Holy City.

The activities of the fifteenth edition of the summer camps include educational trips, competitions, entertainment and leisure activities, as well as cultural visits with Moroccan children.

On this occasion, the Al-Quds children presented His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan with a souvenir gift.

Afterwards, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince posed for a souvenir photo with the Al-Quds children taking part in the summer camp and their supervisors.

The Al-Quds children were then invited to a reception given in their honor by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and chaired by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.

Since its launch in 2008, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency’s summer camp program has seen a total of 750 children from various districts of the Holy City, accompanied by 75 supervisors, visit different regions of the Kingdom and see for themselves the strength of Moroccans’ solidarity with the Palestinians.

In parallel with the summer camp organized in Morocco, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency launched the “Summer Schools” program in Al-Quds at the beginning of August, benefiting 4,000 children from the Holy City, spread across 17 schools and clubs in the governorate’s various districts and villages.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.