The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNOAU Parfait Onanga-Anyanga met with the Head of the Japan Mission to the African Union (AU), Ambassador Horiuchi Toshihiko. In his introductory remarks, the SRSG stated that the meeting was an opportunity to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between UNOAU and the Japan Mission aimed to leverage the implementation of the AU-UN Joint Framework on peace and security as well as the Development Framework, within the context of the AU-UN strategic partnership. Ambassador Toshihiko expressed the determination to sustain the friendship with UNOAU and to contribute to the objectives of the AU-UN partnership in peace, security and development. He informed that Japan, as a member of the Group of Friends of the UN-AU Partnership, will join the UN Security Council (UNSC) and will be taking the chairing role in January 2023. In this regard, he envisaged that closer collaboration with UNOAU, AU Permanent Representatives and the A3 will afford Japan the opportunity to identify and support Africa’s agenda before the Council, including the current priority to address political transition challenges arising from the recent unconstitutional change of government.

SRSG UNOAU acknowledged Japan’s historical cooperation and support to Africa’s development through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) since its debut in 1993. He noted that Africa has evolved with emerging new challenges which require the adoption of new approaches to address these challenges. In this regard, he highlighted the need to review the TICAD process and interventions recognizing the imperative of Africa’s ownership and leadership of its development initiatives. He encouraged Japan to leverage its future position in the UNSC to support the AU agenda and priorities.