16 November 2007
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in conjunction with the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) is honoured to have been selected by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as a partner for the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV).
TICAD IV is scheduled to take place on 28-30 May 2008 in Yokohama, Japan. IPPF was selected as a partner because of our long established, highly respected and strategic relationship with the Government of Japan.
TICAD was launched in 1993 by the Government of Japan. It was launched to re-prioritize the development of Africa at a time when other members of the international development community had begun to focus their development priorities elsewhere.
The leadership role adopted by the Government of Japan has successfully helped promote high level policy dialogue between development partners and African leaders.
Since then TICAD has grown into a major global framework aimed at the development of Africa through cooperation with Asia. Approximately 1,000 participants including high level officials from 23 African States and the Director General of the African Union attended TICAD III (2003).
The theme of TICAD IV is ‘Towards a Vibrant Africa: a Continent of Hope and Opportunity’. IPPF hope to be able to use our special designation to influence the global development community to advocate for the mainstreaming of sexual and reproductive health within development in Africa.
We also hope to be able to use our position to mainstream sexual and reproductive health within Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Crucially, TICVAD IV takes place just prior to the G8 which is also being hosted by Japan. It is expected that TICAD IV will be used as a vehicle by the Government of Japan to shape the agenda of the G8.
To date IPPF has made several contributions to the preparation process of TICAD IV. These contributions have included:
- discussions with MOFA officials on TICAD IV and the G8;
- dialogue with Japanese NGOs;
- attendance at the Asia Africa Parliamentarians’ Meeting,
- meetings with various Japanese Embassies around the world
- attendance at the TICAD IV regional preparatory meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
IPPF Africa Regionrecently organized with the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia and the African Union Commission a TICAD IV Consultative meeting on “Human Security: Addressing the African Development Agenda”
It is expected that IPPF will play a number of key roles in the process leading up to TICAD IV. These roles include:
- mobilizing African participation at all levels through activities at IPPF Member Associations;
- linking the Japanese Government with other development partners including donors;
- attending regional and global events organized by the Government of Japan;
- assisting with the implementation of the Government of Japan’s regional/global initiatives;
- advocating for the further integration of the ‘human security’ concept within development frameworks.
This concept focuses on the individual and seeks protection from threats to human life, livelihood and dignity, and the realization of the full potential of each individual.
In addition, IPPF will also be participating in the next TICAD IV regional preparatory meeting which takes place on November 21-22 in Tunis, Tunisia.
Contact
For further information on IPPF and our involvement in TICAD IV, please contact:
Yuri Nakamura
ynakamura@ippf.org