Excellences
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan, the African Union and Co-Organizers for the organization of this Senior Officials Meeting in preparation of the TICAD7.
Partners in Population and Development PPD, is an inter-governmental organization of 26 member states from Asia, Latin America and Africa committed to achieve global health and population related goals through effective and transformational South-South and triangular cooperation programs. PPD counts 14 states from Africa: Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe and are representing their governments in PPD Board by their respective Ministers of Health, Population, Social Development, Planning and finance. PPD’s main mission is to promote SSTC modality through political commitments, advocacy, sharing of best practices and capacity development.
PPD wishes that TICAD7 will give special attention to deepening South-South and triangular Cooperation to address health and population issues in Africa, a continent with rapid Population growth bringing emerging challenges to economy, environment and sustainable development.
PPD is offering new opportunity to TICAD to tackle these challenges and contribute in harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa and achieve SDGs 2030 and 2063 Agenda.
The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Buenos Aires Action Plan on South-South Cooperation and UN member states renewed their commitments to SSC at the 2nd UN High Level Conference on SSC held in Buenos Aires in March 2019.
In this regard, TICAD 7 is called to recognize the increasing role of South-South and triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to strengthen partnership for the achievement of global development goals and it will reinforce initiatives of South–South Cooperation among African countries to unite themselves for inclusive and sustainable economic and social development.
I am confident that this meeting will greatly contribute in renewing commitments of Japan, African member states particularly PPD members and international partners for the promotion of South-South and triangular Cooperation as reflected in BAPA+40 resolution and formulating inspirational messages for the future of effective development cooperation in Africa.
Thank you.