August 20–22, 2025
Education, Science and Technology/Academia, International
| MEXT Minister ABE Toshiko attended the signing of Letters of Intent (LOI), bilateral meetings, and thematic events during the TICAD 9 conference held from August 20 to 22. |
The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, concluded with the adoption of the “TICAD 9 Yokohama Declaration.”
MEXT will leverage the outcomes of TICAD 9 conference to promote educational exchange, human resource development, and scientific and technological cooperation, focused on youth and women, as well as cultural and sports exchanges.
In preparation for the conference, MEXT established an internal project team in December 2024 to strengthen cooperation with African countries and has been advancing discussions on its response.
As part of these efforts, Minister Abe signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at the end of July with Ghana's Ministry of Education to strengthen ties. And on August 19, the minister also signed an LOI with Egypt's Ministry of Education and Technical Education.
Based on these LOIs, policy dialogue will now advance between the respective ministries, aiming to advance collaboration across a broad range of fields including Japanese-style education, vocational education and training, and special needs education.
On the opening day of the conference, Minister Abe attended the thematic event, “Promotion of International Brain Circulation between Africa and Japan” and signed an LOI on supporting higher education in Africa between the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and MEXT. The minister also held talks with Ousmane DIAGANA, World Bank’s Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa.
Based on this LOI, MEXT will strengthen cooperation between African and Japanese universities, including promoting personnel exchanges and enhancing research capabilities through regular information sharing and other measures.
On the same day, Minister Abe also exchanged views with Blade NZIMANDE, South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology Innovation, on strengthening future cooperation.
On August 21, at a science and technology workshop for Japanese and African high school students hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Minister Abe listened to lively discussions and participated in a seminar introducing the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development’s (AMED) initiatives in Africa.
On August 22, Minister Abe attended the thematic event, “Feeding Futures: Japan's Role in Advancing School Meals through Global Partnerships,” the closing ceremony of TICAD 9 Plenary Session, and held talks with Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Liberia’s Minister of Education.
Furthermore, during the conference period, Minister Abe toured thematic events and booth exhibits by MEXT covering education, science and technology, culture, and sports, as well as booths by universities, companies, and other organizations.
Minister Abe said MEXT will build on the outcomes achieved at the TICAD 9 and continue to strengthen cooperation with African countries.