Japan Reiterates Commitment to Heighten Historical Relations with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa November 19/2024 (ENA)Japan has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to further elevate the historic partnership with Ethiopia by supporting the nation's endeavors for the realization of prosperity.

The Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ethiopia office Celebrated 70 years of Japan’s international Cooperation.

Japan also commemorated the occasion alongside the 50th anniversary of dispatch of Japanese volunteers in Ethiopia and the 30th anniversary of the opening of JICA Ethiopia office.

Addressing the occasion, Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori said Japan and Ethiopia have enjoyed nearly 100-years of friendship.

Japan’s development assistance in Ethiopia began with the technical cooperation provided to the Central Institute of Public Health in 1967, he recalled.

Since then, Japan has provided multi-layered support including Yen loans, grant aid, technical cooperation, and humanitarian responses in cooperation with UN agencies and international organizations, the Ambassador further elaborated.

“Touching upon some of our priority areas, Japan has been cooperating continuously for about 50 years in the areas of agriculture, education, health, industrial promotion and water-supply.”

Currently, another pillar of Japan’s assistance is the support in the northern part of Ethiopia, for recovery and reconstruction, Hironori revealed.

Reiterating that Japan will continue and make utmost effort to contribute for the prosperity of Ethiopia, the ambassador expressed confidence to further enhance the historical bilateral relations between the two countries.

State Minister of Agriculture, Melese Mekonnen said for his part that JICA has been one of Ethiopia’s key partners with a long history of cooperation across various sectors including agriculture, health, education, private sector development, water technology, and infrastructure development.

The agriculture sector has one of the strongest links with Japan, in particular, Melese pointed out.  JICA has provided critical support in areas such as food security, climate change, agricultural insurance, and market oriented extension to enhance crop production and productivity thereby ensuring income generation for farmers, the state minister further indicated.

Currently, there are 9 JICA projects in the agriculture sector which includes the promotion of rice production, agricultural insurance project and science and technology promotion projects, among others, it was learned.

The government of Ethiopia as a whole and the Ministry of Agriculture in particular considers JICA as a key and strategic partner, Melese emphasized.

Ministers and officials of the government of Ethiopia, diplomatic corps, UN agencies, international and local organizations, private companies, universities and JICA experts and volunteers working in Ethiopia attended the anniversary.