The 9th Japan – South Africa Partnership Forum

(Joint Press Statement)

27 January, 2009
Tokyo, Japan

The 9th Japan – South Africa Partnership Forum was held in Tokyo on 26th and 27th January, 2009.

The Japanese delegation was headed by H.E. Ms. Seiko HASHIMOTO, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the South African delegation was headed by Hon. Fatima Nagdee HAJAIG, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa.

Both sides will expand and deepen co-operation in various areas including politics, economics, development co-operation, science and technology and cultural exchanges and will cooperate as partners for peace, stability and development of Africa and the World. South Africa supported Japan’s undertaking to advance global peace and security issues, including those of Africa, during its tenure as non-permanent member of the UNSC.

While confirming the importance of Japan-South Africa relations, both sides stressed to continue exchanges at various levels including Heads of Government, Government officials and private sector. Both sides will also, as nations which have due responsibilities, deepen the cooperative relations on international issues, such as United Nations Security Council reform, climate change, and disarmament and non-proliferation. Both sides will hold a meeting at the level of Senior Officials responsible for the United Nations in order to exchange views on the United Nations- related issues. Both sides will also continue to hold dialogues on global issues. South Africa expressed the need for the reform of the global financial architecture and in this regard it is unavoidable to give equitable representation and decision-making to key developing countries to deal with global challenges.

The Japanese side expressed that it is steadily implementing its assistance measures announced at TICADⅣ (The Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) and continues to implement them. South Africa, at the request of Japan, will positively consider participating in the TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting to be held on 21st and 22nd March, 2009, in Botswana. The South African side expressed appreciation for the Japanese assistance to Africa through the TICAD process and its active contribution for the success of the meeting in Botswana.

The South African side explained that regional organizations/communities including African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) play important roles in the eradication of poverty and the promotion of peace and prosperity in Africa. The Japanese side highly appreciated South Africa’s contribution to the regional stability. Both sides will work towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and SADC.

Both sides welcomed the 1st meeting of the Joint Trade Committee was held coinciding with the 9th Japan – South Africa Partnership Forum. Both sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral trade and Investment relations.  In the meeting they exchanged views on, inter alia, (a) the current situation of the bilateral economic relations and efforts to further expand the comprehensive relations in the economic field, including the following up on “ the Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment to Africa” last September and the expansive development of global “One Village One Product” initiatives,  (b) efforts to improve business environment and its follow-up, (c) cooperation in the field of Small and Medium Enterprises, (d) the promotion of investment in the field of energy and mineral resource utilization, (e) the current situation of global economy and their economic policies, the importance of a successful conclusion of the WTO Doha Development Agenda and of rejecting protectionism, as well as, their current trade policies including FTA/EPA and BIT.

While confirming effectiveness of past Japanese cooperation to South Africa, both sides exchanged opinions about possible bilateral cooperation in the future. Both sides reviewed the great achievements in human resource development cooperation with satisfaction and confirmed to continue the cooperation. In addition to the bilateral cooperation, both sides also expressed that Japan and the Republic of South Africa, which have been playing leading roles in Africa, will further promote trilateral cooperation. Both sides will also accelerate the negotiation process to conclude a Technical Cooperation Agreement in order to facilitate bilateral technical cooperation.

Both sides expressed their hope that the third Japan-South Africa Joint Committee on Scientific & Technological Cooperation, which will be held on 25th February in South Africa, will further broaden and the deepen cooperation in the area of science & technology.

Both sides shared the view that the 2010 World Cup represents the perfect opportunity to exchange best practices in various fields based on Japan’s hosting of the Soccer World Cup, to deepen understanding of each other’s cultures and to promote tourism.

With recognition that the purpose of this forum was to strengthen the cooperative partnership under which both sides work together for resolution of international issues, the participants will continue to hold the Partnership Forum.

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