In 2023, Egypt and Japan commemorated a turning point in their historic relations, as they updated their relationship to a tactical collaboration. This was marked by the go to of Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio to Egypt in April, where he consulted with President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi and talked about different elements of their complex cooperation.
The 2 nations have actually teamed up on a number of flagship jobs that display their strong ties and their shared interest in promoting cultural discussion and good understanding. These consist of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), which integrate heritage, development, innovation, and education.
Egypt and Japan likewise share a typical vision of strengthening global peace and security, specifically in Africa. The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) is a crucial partner of Japan in this field, as it supports the capability structure of African nations to deal with the complex and interrelated peace and security obstacles dealing with the continent. This is performed in accordance with African concerns and ownership, and through the structure of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development’s (TICAD) New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA).
Because 2008, Japan has actually supported CCCPA, an African Union Center of Excellence, to train over 26,000 Egyptian and African workers in locations such as peacekeeping, peacebuilding, avoiding radicalization and extremism causing terrorism, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, females, peace, and security, combating global dangers, and environment, peace, and security.
In 2019, Egypt introduced the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, a top-level platform that intends to improve the linkages in between peace and advancement in Africa. The Forum, which is supported by Japan, supporters for African-led options by bridging the space in between policy and practice. The Aswan Forum and the TICAD have strong synergies, as they both highlight the requirement to construct durable and robust organizations for sustainable peace and advancement and to embrace integrated actions that attend to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (HDPN).
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has actually acknowledged the work of CCCPA and the contributions of the Aswan Forum as “great practices of South-South partnership”. The collaboration in between Egypt and Japan in advancing peace and advancement in Africa– through the work of CCCPA and the Aswan Forum– is an effective example of trilateral cooperation.
I went to Japan in July 2023, to additional reinforce the Center’s collaboration with Japanese authorities and stakeholders.
In Tokyo, I met senior authorities from different Japanese organizations, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JICA, the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, and the JPC, along with Diet members, scientists, and academics. I was impressed by their gratitude for Egypt’s function in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa, and for our collaborations to cultivate peace and success. I likewise found out more about Japan’s efforts, such as the FOIP, and its defense policy, as described in the NDS introduced in 2022.
I went to Hiroshima, which advised me of the scaries of war, the destruction triggered by nuclear weapons, and the requirement to work for world peace. I had worthwhile exchanges with the heads of the HPC and the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, who shared Japan’s experience and lessons in post-conflict restoration and advancement. I discovered the function of Hiroshima’s very first post-war mayor, Shinzo Hamai, in reconstructing the city and making it a sign of peace. The Mayors for Peace Initiative, begun by his follower, is an impressive example of engaging city governments in peacebuilding efforts, which pertains to the Aswan Forum.
I likewise went to the port of Yokohama, which revealed me the significance of maritime security to Japan, a top priority that Egypt shares, provided its tactical place, connecting the Indo-Pacific to the Mediterranean and Europe. More than 10% of the world’s maritime trade goes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, which deal with different risks and disputes.
After my check out, we took additional actions to boost the partnership in between CCCPA and Japanese organizations, particularly by including more Japanese authorities and professionals in the Center’s capacity-building activities for African authorities. JICA and the JPC supplied their knowledge in the training courses held by CCCPA in October and November on “Integrating Forced Displacement in PCRD” and “Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Peace Operations”.
Structure on the efficient conversations at the roundtable on “Advancing Sustainable Peace and Development in the Red Sea” kept in January 2023 with the Embassy of Japan in Cairo, CCCPA aspires to check out more chances for trilateral cooperation to attend to the obstacles determined.
On an individual level, this journey was a fantastic chance to delight in the abundant culture and stunning surroundings of Japan, from Miyajima Island to Kyoto, which has numerous UNESCO World Heritage websites. As a fan of Japanese Manga, I was enjoyed check out the Kyoto International Manga Museum. I was deeply moved by the warm hospitality I got and I wish to return quickly.
As CCCPA commemorates its 30th anniversary in 2024, we anticipate reinforcing this vibrant and long-lasting collaboration with Japan that shows the worth of global cooperation beforehand peace, development, and success.
Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)