Latin America and the Caribbean
While many of the countries in the region enjoy a certain extent of economic development, many of them also suffer from issues like poverty, economic and social disparities, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Given the region’s situation, JICA will support infrastructure development efforts, and initiatives like disaster risk reduction and tackling climate change, in collaboration with multinational development banks, to address global issues.
Also, JICA will continue to provide necessary support for Japanese emigrants and their decedents (Nikkei) in the region, in order to further strengthen ties between Japan and the region. Furthermore, JICA will strengthen its partnership and cooperation initiatives with Nikkei communities by providing support for Nikkei communities.
Africa
Africa is expected to form a large economy in the near future because of its rapid population growth. Therefore, continuous cooperation for Africa’s industrial development is important. However challenges persist, like fluctuation in commodity prices, the spread of infectious diseases, and the expansion of violent extremism. These challenges require cooperative solutions at the same time. Given the region’s situation, JICA, in collaboration with the private sector, will support regional infrastructure development like transport, water and sanitation, and access to energy, including renewable energy; as well as industrial development; business and investment climate development, including human resource development; and improving basic human needs. Throughout its cooperation efforts, JICA will also emphasize the three pillars of “structural transformation for sustainable economic growth and social”, “resilient and sustainable society” and “sustainable peace and stability”, which have been declared in the Tunis Declaration adopted at the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) on August 28, 2022. Furthermore, JICA will not only promote country-specific, but also region-wide, initiatives focusing on improving regional economic communities.
Middle East and Europe
Many countries in the region still suffer from the aftermath of Arab Spring, in addition to Syrian refugees now becoming a global issue. Under such circumstances, in addition to emergency humanitarian assistance by the international community, it is necessary to extend support to communities hosting refugees and address structural problems in the mid to long-term that triggered the crisis to begin with, like poverty and unemployment. Also in Europe, the consolidation of peace and economic development are of the utmost necessity to ensure stability in the region. Given the region’s situation, JICA will provide assistance targeting efforts to reduce social and regional disparities, develop human resources and infrastructure, improve the region’s investment environment and maintain and conserve the region’s urban areas and natural habitats. Throughout its cooperation efforts, JICA will take into account its contributions to the Japanese government’s initiative called “Inclusive assistance towards the stability of the Middle East region”.
Particularly, in dealing with Syria and other refugee issues, JICA will collaborate with neighboring countries and international organizations, and it will carefully take into consideration the balance of benefits between the citizens of host countries and the refugees.
In Europe, JICA provides emergency measures, based on the policy of the Japanese government, to Ukraine, which is facing a crisis due to the military invasion. In fiscal year 2022, JICA provided budgetary support of ¥78 billion in the form of “Emergency Economic Recovery Development Policy Loan” to the Ukrainian government. In addition, JICA has also been continuing its support for urgent recovery and reconstruction of destroyed infrastructures through various technical cooperation and a grant aid project. For instance, by technical cooperation, JICA supports the Ukrainian government to enhance capacity for detection and clearance of land mines as well as to prepare master plans on recovery and reconstruction for several severely damaged cities. By grant aid, a comprehensive package amounting to ¥75.5 billion for urgent recovery is to be provided for Ukraine, including provision of equipment for detection and clearance of mines, machines for clearance of debris of destroyed infrastructure and buildings, public transportation, energy supply, water supply and sanitation, healthcare, education, agriculture and others.
Issue-specific initiatives
Promote “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
To realize “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocated by the Japanese government, JICA will provide the Indo-Pacific region with both tangible and intangible support. JICA’s support will include expanding and establishing freedom of navigation and the rule of law, improving regional connectivity by developing quality infrastructure that aligns with international standards, and providing development cooperation to support capacity building for maritime security.
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