Rabat – African and Japanese leaders have expressed recognition for Morocco’s continental initiatives, pointing to King Mohammed VI’s role in advancing Africa’s response to climate change, migration, and sustainable development.
At the close of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), held in Yokohama, heads of state and government drew attention to the Climate Commissions created during the African Action Summit.
These include the Sahel Commission, the Congo Basin Commission, and the Island States Commission, which have become key frameworks for helping African nations face the mounting challenges of global warming.
Leaders underlined that such structures give the continent a stronger collective voice in international negotiations and serve as channels to secure financing for projects that reflect local realities.
The final declaration also recalled the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA), launched in Marrakech during COP22 in 2016.
The program seeks to strengthen African agriculture’s resilience by focusing on soil management, irrigation, and climate finance, ensuring farmers are better equipped to withstand environmental disruptions.
On the migration front, the leaders confirmed their support for the African Migration Observatory, created on Morocco’s initiative in line with the African Union’s Agenda on migration.
The AU adopted the plan in 2018, and the Observatory was inaugurated in Rabat in 2020.
Since then, the institution has worked to collect and analyze migration data, providing governments with a clearer picture of population flows and encouraging cooperation at regional and international levels.
These initiatives, introduced through Morocco’s vision, continue to shape Africa’s approach to shared challenges. By promoting continental frameworks on climate and migration, Morocco consolidates its position as a key actor.
In the run-up to TICAD-9, Japan restated its position of non-recognition of the Polisario Front. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya explained that the presence of any group not acknowledged by Japan as a state does not affect Tokyo’s stance on its status.
He made clear that Japan had not issued an invitation to the Polisario Front, noting that the African Union had invited all of its members, including the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The statement was repeated several times during the preparatory meetings, underlining Japan’s steady policy on the matter.
