The 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) was concluded in Tunis, Tunisia in August 2022 with the Government of Japan represented by the Prime Minister Kishida who emphasized Japan’s commitment to “invest in people” and “the quality of growth”. During the Conference, the Government of Japan committed US$30 billion over the next three years, as the sum of public and private financial contribution, including its continued support to counter infectious diseases, taking the concept of human security as the basis.

Alongside the commitments made by the Government of Japan, the Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Award Ceremony was organized to honour individuals and institutions with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa - an approach the Government of Japan has promoted over a decade in support of its investment in human capital.

During the ceremony in Tunisia, Dr. Salim S. Abdool Karim and Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim (South Africa) were recognized for their contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in the field of Medical Research Category. In the field of Medical Services Category,” Guinea Worm Eradication Program” represented by the Carter Center (USA) was awarded for its contributions to the eradication of Guinea worm disease.

By invitation of the Government of Japan, the laureates will visit Japan in March 2023 for extended advocacy and engagements with key stakeholders in leveraging the impact of the Award. Taking advantage of the presence of the honorable laureates in Tokyo, the Special Edition of AFRI CONVERSE (dialogue series in the advocacy of TICAD) will be co-organized by Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The session will discuss the evolving development contexts and priorities on the continent, examine gaps and opportunities in human capital development, as well as successful models of investments pioneered by the laureates engaging multi-sectoral partners.

Investing in people through nutrition, health care, quality education, jobs and skills helps develop human capital, and is a key to ending extreme poverty and creating more inclusive societies. There is mounting evidence that unless they strengthen human capital, countries cannot achieve sustained, inclusive economic growth, will not have a workforce prepared for the more highly skilled jobs of the future, and will not compete effectively in the global economy. 

The expected results of this dialogue are as follows;

1. Identify find the gaps and opportunities in investing in human capital development, focusing on the health sector are identified and shared by the various stakeholders.

2.  Share good practices and lessons learned by the laureates to inspire future actions to be undertaken by stakeholders.

3. A pathway for building health resilience in Africa and roles of external partners especially the development organizations identified.

4. Broaden advocacy for the Hideyo Noguchi Award Prize, so that the initiative will be widely supported and recognized for its continuity.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

• Dr. Salim S. Abdool KARIM - Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Awardee

• Dr. Quarraisha Abdool KARIM - Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Awardee

• Mr. Adam WEISS, Guinea Worm Eradication Program, Director, Carter Center- Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Awardee

• Ms. Meagan MARTZ, Senior Associate Director, Principal Gifts Development - Asia, Carter Center- Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Awardee

• H.E. TAWA Hiroshi , Vice Minister, Cabinet Office

• Dr. KUROKAWA Kiyoshi - Chairperson, Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Committee, Professor Emeritus, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies

• Prof. Tshilidzi MARWALA – Rector, United Nations University

• Mr. Ikuo TAKIZAWA - Senior Deputy Director-General and Senior Director, Office for COVID-19 Response, Human Development Department, JICA

• Dr. Raymond GILPIN - Chief Economist and Head of the Strategy, Analysis and Research Team, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP

• Dr. Yu FUJITA - Obstetrician and gynecologist (Former JICA Volunteer)

PROGRAMME:

2:00pm – 2:05pm   Opening Remarks

2:05pm – 2:15pm   Introductory Remarks

2:15pm – 2:35pm   Setting the Scene

2:35pm –2:55pm    Keynote Presentation

2:55pm – 3:45pm   Panel Discussion (40 minutes)

3:45pm – 3:50pm   Congratulatory remarks

3:50pm – 3:55pm   Wrap-Up & Closing

EVENT FORMAT:

• Format: Hybrid

• Date: Thursday 16 March 2023

• Time: 8:00a.m. - 10:00a.m. (EAT)  / 2.00pm – 4.00 pm (JST)

• Participation: Free

• Language: English / Japanese

• Co-organizers: the Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

REGISTRATION:

https://bit.ly/AC-Noguchi