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.