Tokyo, 8 January 2019
- Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
- Senior Officials from Japan and Rwanda
- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
- Mr Prime Minister, it is a pleasure to be back in Japan, and I thank you for your invitation, and gracious hospitality.
- We are pleased to be here, to honour the excellent relationship that exists between Rwanda and Japan, and to deepen our friendship and cooperation.
- Rwanda very much appreciates the ongoing development cooperation with Japan. We have productive partnerships in many areas, including in agriculture, ICT, and infrastructure.
- In particular, I wish to thank you for Japan’s support to the Kigali Urban Transport Improvement Plan.
- As Rwanda’s population grows and becomes more urbanized, we are keen to learn from Japan’s longstanding expertise and experience in city planning and urban transport.
- I also want to thank you for Japan’s contribution to Rwanda’s human capacity development, through the Africa Business Education Initiative, which is benefitting young Rwandans.
- Let me also take this opportunity to express my appreciation for Japan’s contribution to Africa’s development through, the TICAD process.
- We look forward to building on this good collaboration during the upcoming TICAD 7 in Yokohama.
- I also want to thank you for the useful role that Japan is playing in the international community, including in peace-keeping.
- As you may know, the African Union has been undergoing institutional reforms for the last two years.
- We have achieved good progress in making African Union more fit for purpose, and enhancing the continent’s engagement with the rest of the world, including with Japan.
- The African Union will continue to work with Japan and other global partners, in the reform of the UN Security Council, to make it more relevant to today’s realities.
- Let me also congratulate you for the selection of Osaka Kansai as host of the 2025 World Expo.
- In conclusion, Mr Prime Minister, Rwanda remains committed to strengthening cooperation with Japan, in the bilateral as well as international arena, for the benefit of both our countries.
- I wish to invite you to visit Rwanda, at a time of your convenience.
- Once again, I thank you for hosting us, and extend my best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year.