President Weah Takes TICAD7 Rostrum Wednesday, Poised to Market PAPD

(Yokohama, Japan) – His Excellency President George Manneh Weah is expected to address the 7^th Edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) this Wednesday, August 28, 2019 – an address that will focus on strengthening bilateral ties with the second largest Asian economic power.

The President’s speech before an audience over 4,500 participants including private sector investors of Asia, will explore the need for cooperation, coordination and collaboration with Japan placing emphasis on road connectivity, education and health in Liberia and Africa at large.

The Chief Executive will on the same Wednesday hold a tête-à-tête with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at which time he is expected to acknowledge and commend the tremendous development assistance the Government and people of Japan continue to give to Liberia. He will also push for the completion of Phase II of the Somalia Drive Road Project.

President Weah will also promote Government’s Pro poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD and request the support of the Japanese Government.

The President and delegation arrived in the Japanese City of Yokohama via Narita Haneda International Airport in response to Japanese Government’s invitation to attend the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

This year’s conference, dubbed TICAD7, is being held under the theme, “Africa and Yokohama–Sharing Passion for the Future”, is led by Japan and co-sponsored by the United Nations, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC). The Conference takes place on August 28-30, 2019 in Pacifico, Yokohama.

The Liberian Head of State is joining 46 other African leaders also invited to participate in the 7^th Edition of the Development Conference which was launched in 1993 to specifically foster economic cooperation between African countries and Japan, Asia’s 2nd economic powerhouse.

President Weah is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Japanese officials and other African leaders on the margin of the conference.

The over 4,500 participants at TICAD7 include heads of states, representatives of international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, private and non-governmental organizations.