Events

Events

Forging a Sustainable Future through Africa–Japan Collaboration
Policy Dialogue on Oceans, Food, and Human Resources

OrganizerOcean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF)

Africa continues to experience population growth and economic development, while facing complex and diverse challenges, including social transformation, geopolitical shifts, and climate change. In this context, enhancing food production through sustainable management—while conserving terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems—is essential to achieving equitable and inclusive socio-economic development.

The Nippon Foundation, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the Sasakawa Africa Foundation have been working in collaboration with experts and specialists to examine contemporary challenges facing Africa—particularly food security and the promotion of a blue economy focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, alongside improvements in agricultural production. These efforts have also explored avenues for effective collaboration with Japan and the international community, including policy support to advance these goals. The outcomes have been compiled into a set of policy recommendations.

We have invited a group of distinguished African leaders and former senior officials from regional organizations to Japan to convene the “Eminent Persons Meeting on Sustainable Development and International Cooperation in Africa.” This meeting aims to draw upon their insights and experience to strengthen Japan-Africa cooperation on critical issues such as food security and the blue economy.

At this special international symposium, we will welcome eminent persons and African leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Africa’s development and the advancement of international cooperation. Drawing on the discussions at the Eminent Persons Meeting, we will explore future prospects for Japan-Africa cooperation, with a focus on food security and a sustainable blue economy. This event also aims to offer valuable perspectives that will contribute to the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which will be held next month in Yokohama, and to foster deeper mutual understanding and collaboration toward strengthened future partnerships.

Regarding registration

French interpretation will be available for both in-person and online participation.
If you wish to use the French interpretation, please register via the English registration form.

If you would like to participate, please apply from this page by 23:59 on Wednesday, July 23(JST).
For those who wish to participate online, we will inform you of the URL in the application reception email.

*After applying, you will receive a temporary registration confirmation email, so please click the registration completion URL in the email to complete your registration. Due to the large number of inquiries due to incomplete registration, we ask that you proceed with the registration procedure to the end.

*If you do not receive the temporary registration confirmation email, the email from spfpr@spf.or.jp may be in your spam folder.

* Personal information received from everyone at the time of application will be used to guide you to seminars, lectures, etc. sponsored or supported by our foundation.
Contact
Ocean Policy Research Institute
Email: oceanpolicy-event (@) spf.or.jp
Tel: +81-3-5157-5210

For media inquiries:
Public Relations Division
Tel: +81-3-5157-5395
Email: spfpr (@) spf.or.jp

Program

15:00-15:05 JST Opening Remarks
Atsushi Sunami (President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
15:05-15:10 JST Guest Remarks (TBC)
15:10-15:15 JST Welcome Address
Yohei Sasakawa (Honorary Chairman, The Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
15:15-16:10 JST Panel Discussion
“Food Security and a Sustainable Blue Economy: Advancing Japan-Africa Collaboration”
16:10-16:25 JST Q&A Session
16:25-16:30 JST Closing Remarks
*Please note that the event program and speakers are subject to change.

Speaker

Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
Speaker

Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki

Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger and African Union Special Envoy for Food Systems

Profile

Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki served as Prime Minister of Niger from 1997 to 2000. In 2000, he founded the Public Policy Analysis Circle, a think tank focused on education and health policy. From 2009 to around 2022, he led the African Union’s development agency NEPAD, promoting sustainable development and human capital. After NEPAD was restructured into AUDA-NEPAD, he became its first CEO and advocated for education and digital access. Currently, he serves as the African Union’s Special Envoy for Food Systems, working to enhance agricultural appeal, youth engagement, infrastructure investment, and policy reform. He also contributes to global initiatives such as the UN’s Scaling Up Nutrition movement and the OECD’s high-level panel on development cooperation.

Jakaya Kikwete
Speaker

Jakaya Kikwete

Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and President’s Special Envoy

Profile

Jakaya Kikwete served as President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015. During his tenure, he promoted reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and diplomacy, and chaired the African Union Summit from 2008 to 2009. After leaving office, he focused on international cooperation in education and currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supporting educational development and policy reform in developing countries. He also acts as a Presidential Envoy for the African Union, contributing to regional integration, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding. Through education, he continues to advocate for inclusive growth and sustainable development across Africa.

Olusegun Obasanjo
Speaker

Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region and African Union High Representative to the Horn of Africa

Profile

Olusegun Obasanjo is a former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has held various public and diplomatic roles throughout his career. He served as Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as a civilian President from 1999 to 2007, during which he pursued public sector reforms and strengthened regional cooperation. After leaving office, he engaged in international efforts for peace and stability, serving as the United Nations Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region of Africa. In 2021, he was appointed High Representative for the Horn of Africa by the African Union, and in 2022, he facilitated negotiations toward a ceasefire in the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia. He continues to be involved in initiatives related to peace and security within the framework of the African Union.

Jorge Carlos Fonseca
Speaker

Jorge Carlos Fonseca

Former President of the Republic of Cabo Verde and Founder of the Liberty and Democracy Initiative Foundation

Profile

Jorge Carlos Fonseca served as President of the Republic of Cabo Verde from 2011 to 2021 for two consecutive terms. With a background in law, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Lisbon and held various public roles, including Director of the Immigration Office and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1975 to 1979, and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1993. During his presidency, he focused on legal reform, strengthening democratic governance, and enhancing international relations. After leaving office, he founded the “Foundation for the Promotion of Freedom and Democracy Initiatives,” which supports civic engagement and dialogue on democratic values. He is also involved in academic and educational activities in the fields of law and human rights, promoting institutional reform and the development of civil society in the region.

Donald Kaberuka
Speaker

Donald Kaberuka

Former President, African Development Bank and AU High Representative for Financing the Union, the Peace Fund, and COVID‑19 response

Profile

Donald Kaberuka served as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) from 2005 to 2015. A Rwandan economist, he previously held the position of Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in Rwanda from 1997 to 2005, where he led post-conflict economic reforms. As AfDB President, he advanced regional integration, infrastructure development, and private sector growth across the continent. In 2016, he was appointed High Representative of the African Union for Financing the Union and the Peace Fund, with a mandate to mobilize resources for peace and security initiatives 1. He also played a key role in coordinating the AU’s COVID-19 response and serves on the boards of several international organizations, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 2. His current work focuses on sustainable development financing and institutional reform across Africa.

Geraldine Fraser-Moloketi
Speaker

Geraldine Fraser-Moloketi

Former Minister of Public Service and Administration and former Minister of Welfare and Population Development of the Republic of South Africa, Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela University, Chairperson, Thabo Mbeki Foundation

Profile

Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi served as Minister of Welfare and Population Development from 1996 to 1999 under President Nelson Mandela, and as Minister of Public Service and Administration from 1999 to 2008 under President Thabo Mbeki 1. During her tenure, she led major policy initiatives including the development of South Africa’s social welfare framework, the Child Support Grant, and reforms in public service management and remuneration 2. She also chaired the Pan-African Ministers of Public Service for three consecutive terms and served on the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration. After leaving government, she became Director of the Democratic Governance Group at UNDP and later served as Special Envoy on Gender at the African Development Bank. She is currently Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University and Chairperson of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, where she promotes inclusive development, education, and policy dialogue across Africa 2.

Yohei Sasakawa
Speaker

Yohei Sasakawa

Honorary Chairman, The Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Profile

Yohei Sasakawa is Honorary Chairman of The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. After graduating from Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics, he became President of The Nippon Foundation in 1989 and led the organization as Chairman from 2005 to 2025. During his tenure, he oversaw initiatives in ocean policy, social welfare, education, disaster relief, and international cooperation. As the World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, he has actively promoted global awareness and support for people affected by the disease. He also serves as Japan’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, where he has engaged in dialogue and support for ethnic minorities and peacebuilding efforts. His current work focuses on advancing social innovation and inclusive development through collaborative approaches across sectors.

Atsushi Sunami
Speaker

Atsushi Sunami

President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Profile

Since 2020, Atsushi Sunami has served as President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. He graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and earned both a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. After working as a researcher at the Nomura Research Institute’s Policy Research Department, he held various academic positions at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), including Associate Professor, Professor, and Vice President. He currently serves as Special Advisor to the President and Director of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research Center at GRIPS. He has also contributed to government policymaking as a member and advisor on science, technology, and innovation policy for agencies such as the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the fields of science diplomacy and international cooperation, he has been actively engaged in policy proposals and institutional design through dialogue and collaboration.

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