By Ncaba Ntshakala
Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla has revealed that the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini wants to open an Embassy in Japan.
Dlaldla revealed this when she met with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, ahead of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting.
She emphasized Japan’s desire for continued close cooperation with Eswatini in various international arenas. A notable highlight of the meeting was the announcement that Eswatini is making arrangements to open its embassy in Tokyo. Minister Kamikawa expressed her optimism that the establishment of this embassy would further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla conveyed her gratitude for Japan’s ongoing support and echoed the sentiment for strengthening ties between Eswatini and Japan. She particularly emphasized the potential for deepening economic relations, which could pave the way for increased collaboration in various sectors.
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Minister Kamikawa further discussed Japan’s commitment to continue cooperation with Eswatini, particularly in the areas of food security and education. She also highlighted the importance of encouraging the expansion of Japanese businesses and investments in Eswatini, which could serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.
The meeting concluded with both ministers reaffirming their commitment to further developing Japan-Eswatini relations, especially as they look forward to the upcoming TICAD 9 in 2025.
The Tokyo International Conference of African Development (TICAD) was launched in 1993 by the Government of Japan, to promote Africa’s development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership.
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The United Nations asserts that the launch of TICAD was catalytic for refocusing international attention on Africa’s development needs. In the course of nearly 30 years, TICAD has evolved into a major global open and multilateral forum for mobilizing and sustaining international support for Africa’s development under the principles of African “ownership” and international “partnership.”
As a founding co-organizer of TICAD, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has said that it is committed to the success of TICAD. “The TICAD process reflects UNDP’s foundational belief that sustainable development can only happen with the full participation of a range of partners, including governments, regional and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society,” says UNDP.
In addition, Eswatini and Japan maintain a robust and cooperative relationship, which is marked by mutual respect and collaboration in various sectors. Japan has been a key development partner for Eswatini where it provided assistance in areas such as infrastructure, education, health, and food security. The bilateral ties have been strengthened through initiatives like the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), where Japan’s dedication to supporting African development aligns with Eswatini’s goals for sustainable growth.
