President Uhuru Kenyatta and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have said that the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) will help bring solutions for the continent’s development.
Uhuru urged Kenyans to welcome the thousands of delegates and Heads of State who are in the city for the conference.
The President said the TICAD process has over the years become an important focal point for African development.
“Since its inception, TICAD has been a key forum for informed discussion on African development between Africa and Japan as well as other parts of the world. It has matured into a first class multi-lateral forum attracting leaders in business, government as well as civil society,” Uhuru said.
According to PSCU, the Head of State said part of the focus of the conference will be diversification, the preservation of the environment and the resilience of African health systems.
On his part, Abe said the conference was historic since it is being held outside of Japan for the first time.
The PM said TICAD aims to provide solutions for Africa’s development challenges through the provision of quality technology.
He concurred with his Kenyan host that industrialisation is crucial for Africa’s economic growth.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by chief executives of at least 75 major companies who will participate in the TICAD.
The meeting also brings to Nairobi at least 35 African Heads of State and most of the world’s biggest development agencies.
Some of the Heads of State have started arriving in the country. The President of Chad who is also the chairman of the African Union Idriss Deby is expected in the country later today.
The two spoke Friday at State House, Nairobi when they addressed a joint press conference to announce the launch of the TICAD 6 conference, which they both hailed as historic.