Japan to host TICAD IV in May 2008, the G8 Summit in July 2008 and the 10th APF on 7-8 April 2008

“Making a vibrant Africa a reality” Africa has high expectations from meeting of Partnership Forum in Japan

Africa is set once again to engage its development partners at a top policy and strategic level within the framework of the forthcoming 10th meeting of the Africa Partnership Forum (APF), due to convene in Tokyo, Japan on 7-8 April 2008.

The APF has become a viable vehicle for promoting the implementation of the African Union/NEPAD vision and mission for Africa’s renewal.

The overriding theme for the 10th Forum is “Making a vibrant Africa a reality” with thematic sessions on “boosting economic growth and poverty reduction”, focusing on infrastructure and ICT, agriculture/industrialisation and gender.

Other sessions will deliberate on climate change and the AU/NEPAD African Action Plan, with emphasis on mutual accountability and responsibility as well as resource mobilisation.

As is customary, participants will be drawn largely from African and G8/OECD governments, including members of the NEPAD Steering Committee, representatives of the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Civil society organisations and other regional/multilateral development institutions working with Africa will also be represented at the Forum.

The APF’s major role is to catalyse action and coordinate support behind African priorities and the NEPAD programme.

The APF also regularly monitors the policy issues, strategies and priorities in support of Africa’s development. It focuses on strategic, political and socio-economic issues related to African development and the implementation of AU/NEPAD programmes given the overarching objective of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

At the 9th Meeting of the APF in Algiers, Algeria, the opportunity was provided to Africa to showcase the strides made in promoting good governance in the continent and to undertake a review of partnership commitments made to Africa by the development partners.

The NEPAD Secretariat and the African Union Commission are working with the support of Africa’s partner institutions to ensure that the outcomes of the 10th APF meet the high expectations of Africa and its people.

Japan will also be hosting TICAD IV in May 2008 and the G8 Summit in July 2008 after the 10th APF. Source : NEPAD, february 8, 2007

Calendar of events

APRM
 3-23 February 2008, APRM Country Review Mission for Uganda.
 February 2008, Country Review Mission for Nigeria (date to be finalised). Source : NEPAD, february 8, 2007