The Nippon Foundation Hosts Second African Eminent Persons Meeting to Discuss Blue Economy, Food Security for Sustainable Development (1)
Published on August 28, 2026
The Nippon Foundation, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) co-hosted the second African Eminent Persons Meeting in Nikko, some 140 kilometers north of Tokyo, on June 24-25 to discuss Africa’s sustainable development, particularly in the areas of a blue economy and food security.
The meeting brought together five former African heads of state and other prominent figures－former Mauritian President Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former Senegalese Prime Minister Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye, former Nigerien Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, former Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa and former President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank.
From the Japanese side, the author took part alongside SPF President Dr. Atsushi Sunami and SAA President Shuichi Suzuki.
Addressing the opening session, I stated: “What gives me particular satisfaction is that this gathering has not remained a one-time event. Instead, we are able to welcome you back and continue the dialogue we began together.”
“What matters most is that leaders representing different countries and perspectives come together to exchange views openly, deepen mutual understanding, build relationships of trust and continue to strengthen those relationships over time. Trust is not something that, once established, can simply be left to itself. It grows only through continued engagement, regular meetings, and candid dialogue. That is why I hope to nurture this meeting as a long-term venture rather than a onetime initiative,” I added.
A set of recommendations compiled at last year’s inaugural meeting was submitted to the government of Japan and also shared on the occasion of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which brought together leaders and other senior officials of 54 African nations as well as those from the United Nations, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC),
Building on those recommendations, this year’s meeting dealt mainly with food security and the promotion of a blue economy focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, alongside improvements in agricultural production.
Over the two days, we engaged in frank and productive discussions with the distinguished eminent persons from Africa who have played leading roles in their respective countries. I had the privilege of participating in these discussions myself and gained many valuable insights
For more than forty years, I have been involved in activities across Africa. Throughout that time, I have been guided by one fundamental belief: that both problems and solutions are found in the field.
Having witnessed the realities on the continent, specifically in the field, I remain very optimistic about Africa's future. Africa has abundant natural resources, the dynamism of a young population and above all, the aspiration and passion of its people.
At the same time, with gaps and inequality in socio-economic terms, Africa must tackle complex and interrelated challenges to realize this potential.
What is needed is the knowledge, experience and cooperation－built upon relationships of trust－that can help transform this immense potential into reality.
At the end of the two-day session, the participants issued a 12-point set of recommendations to promote sustainable blue economies, improve food security and foster international partnerships, particularly between Japan and Africa.
It was agreed to hold the third Eminent Persons Meeting in Africa in 2027.
(To be continued)
