On Thursday, the Chargé d’Affairs of the Japanese Embassy in Libya, Masaki Amadera held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Ramadan Abu Janah in Tripoli.
During the talks, the Japanese diplomat sent an official invitation to Abu Janah for Libya’s participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). This is set to be hosted by Tunisia in August.
TICAD will take place in Africa for the second time, after Kenya hosted the first in 2016. In light of the outcomes of TICAD7 held in Yokohama in August 2019, Japan will continue to strongly support African-led development toward TICAD8.
The Government of Japan has been leading this conference since 1993, co-hosted by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and African Union Commission (AUC).
He stressed that Japan is looking to invest in startup firms, and seeks to boost climate-friendly, sustainable business development in Africa.
Amadera indicated that leaders and heads of governments are expected to join the forum, with an objective to develop the economy in Africa. He noted that Libya’s invitation came given its pivotal role in the continent.
He also expressed Japanese companies’ desire to resume their businesses in Libya.
The two sides took the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation mainly in the economic, industrial, and technological fields. As well as activating joint agreements.
Notably, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that in May 2021, the Japanese government approved a funding program valued at $833,000 US dollars, to support Libya against COVID-19.
The fund is aimed at strengthening Libya’s vaccination program, especially with regard to the procurement of cold chain equipment, and institutional capacity development of healthcare staff.
“With the aim of vaccinating 1.5 million people, the project will support approximately 200 facilities and 1,000 health officials and healthcare staff,” Amadera said.