IPNews-Yokohama, Japan-Wednesday, August 28,2019: His Excellency President George Manneh Weah is expected to address the 7^th Edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) this Wednesday, August 28, 2019 – an address that will focus on strengthening bilateral ties with the second largest Asian economic power.

According to the Executive Mansion, the President will deliver a speech before an audience over 4,500 participants including private sector investors of Asia, will explore the need for cooperation, coordination and collaboration with Japan placing emphasis on road connectivity, education and health in Liberia and Africa at large.

The Chief Executive will on the same Wednesday hold a tête-à-tête with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at which time he is expected to acknowledge and commend the tremendous development assistance the Government and people of Japan continue to give to Liberia. He will also push for the completion of Phase II of the Somalia Drive Road Project.

President Weah will also promote Government’s Pro poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD and request the support of the Japanese Government.

The President and delegation arrived in the Japanese City of Yokohama via Narita Haneda International Airport in response to Japanese Government’s invitation to attend the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

This year’s conference, dubbed TICAD7, is being held under the theme, “Africa and Yokohama–Sharing Passion for the Future”, is led by Japan and co-sponsored by the United Nations, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC). The Conference takes place on August 28-30, 2019 in Pacifico, Yokohama.

The Liberian Head of State is joining 46 other African leaders also invited to participate in the 7^th Edition of the Development Conference which was launched in 1993 to specifically foster economic cooperation between African countries and Japan, Asia’s 2nd economic powerhouse.

President Weah is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Japanese officials and other African leaders on the margin of the conference.

The over 4,500 participants at TICAD7 include heads of states, representatives of international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, private and non-governmental organizations.

It may be recorded, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, on Saturday, August 24, 2019 departed the country for the Asian Republic of Japan.

President Weah, who is expected to be away for about a week, was invited by the Japanese Government to attend the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The Conference begins tomorrow, August 28-30, 2019 in Pacifico, Yokohama.

TICAD is an international conference led by Japan and co-sponsored by the United Nations, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC).

The Liberian Head of State  joins 46 other African leaders also invited to participate in the 7^th Edition of the Development Conference which began in 1993 to specifically ‘foster economic cooperation between African countries and Japan’, Asia’s 2nd economic powerhouse.

On the margins, President Weah is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Japanese officials and other African leaders at the conference.

While the President is away, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Office Staff, Hon. Nathaniel Farlo McGill, will act as chair of the cabinet in consultation with the Vice President via telephone contacts with the President.