Premier: Africa's renaissance will be realized with support of dev't partners

Addis Ababa, March 17 (WIC) - Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said Africa's renaissance will be realized with strengthened support of development partners.
Speaking at the opening of the 5th TICAD Ministerial Preparatory Meeting here Saturday, PM Hailemariam said support of development partners is significant not only to reduce poverty but also to bring about sustainable development in Africa.

The Premier on the occasion mentioned the support of Japan within the framework of TICAD during the last twenty years.
He lauded the initiative taken by Japan to draw the attention of the international community towards Africa by establishing TICAD as a forum of policy coordination in support of Africa's development.

Over the last decade, Africa has been registering an average GDP growth rate of more than 5 per cent and recent reports indicate that currently six out of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa, he said.

Ethiopia, for instance, has been registering a double-digit economic growth rate for almost a decade now, the Premier said, adding, this is indeed one of the fastest and most sustained growth rates in the world.

He said Africa has also started to speak with one voice on global issues of concern such as climate change and the reform of the United Nations.
The Japanese government is providing development assistance to Africa, within the framework of TICAD particularly in the areas of trade, education, health as well as agriculture and infrastructure development, the Premier said and lauded commitment of the Japanese government to support Ethiopia achieve the Growth and Transformation Plan.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida on his part said TICAD has from its inception promoted Africa's latent potential to the world and called for strengthening of partnerships with the international community that would lead to the flowering of that untapped potential.

The Minister said Africa is now commanding the attention of the international community as the next economic frontier.
Africa, which in the past suffered from poverty and conflicts, has now become a new source of hope full of bright light.

Japan has decided to provide assistance amounting to 550 million USD in order to ensure peace and stability, which are an important foundation for growth and prosperity, he said.

Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha on his part said the meeting will help to further enhance the relation between the AU and Japan.

Growing support to maintain peace and stability in Africa, register economic growth and help African countries achieve the MDGs indicates commitment of Japan towards development of Africa, he said. (ENA)