As some of you might know, I am now based in Tokyo and working for the United Nations University Media Studio. The work is exciting and I would like to share with you one of the recent events I attended this week with a small podcast crew.
TICAD IV (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), was a high-level summit in Yokohama, Japan. The event, where policies for ecomonic development between Japan and Africa are staked out, was arranged by the Japanese government, UN agencies and World Bank. Its level of importance was clearly seen with over 45 African Presidents, their key foreign ministry, Japanese prime minster and government, UN agencies, World bank, private enterprise, EU reps, NGOs and their goodwill ambassodor rockstars in attendance.
Quickly at this point i want to add… Africa is a very special continent. It contains the world’s second largest forest “lung” and carbon sink (Congo Basin), is extremely rich in bio-diversity, has Indigenous cultures and languages, untold histories and of course yields a highly coveted treasure trove of natural resources. In theory, the United countries of Africa should be an economic powerhouse, with ample ability to feed, educate, and create a healthy wellbeing for its many peoples and eco-systems.
In the past, the continent has been witness to a resource scab-grab, where the developed world have reaped resources (whether it be botancial, mineral, vegetable or slave) and in return have given money, guns or “aid” but little else in return. Often, with the money going into the pockets of the corrupt, many local populations stay impoverished by lack of infrastructure, education and support…
At TICAD, it became very clear that the collective voice of the African delegation was saying – we also want to sit self-empowered at the “global market” table with the other superpowers, and very clearly “own” and sustainably manage our own resources. Instead of “aid”, the key message was “capacity building” and “industry investment”.
It may seem obvious but imagine an Africa, full of bright educated individuals… not impoverished by political conflict but regionally governed by men and women towards a healthy future with peace and prosperity. An Africa, that can adequately face the challenges of rising food insecurity and water quality. An Africa, that in the face of Climate change, leads the way in sustainable resource management practices. An Africa, that with time, can support itself with a vibrant small, medium and export size business sector coupled with key academic R&D institutes.
Its going to take time, but the recent global shift to this kind of thinking is what is important. Furthermore, in these times of the inevitable military-industrial complex, suddenly light has come to an even newer paradigm. Climate Change and sustainable development.
Perhaps, the real and simple question is buried under layers of “Yokohama declaration” paperwork. Can Africa mobilise sustainable and eco-infrastructures whilst still nurturing industrial development? Will its other trading partners, like the USA, China, Russia and the Europeans also adhere to these policies? Is this an oxymoron? One thing is clear, there is a new elephant in the room of international politics… the pressure and the moral obligation of the global community to maintain global survival.
Stay tuned for the UNU podcasts…
