Africa-Press – Cape verde. Cape Verde and Japan signed a Notes Exchange Agreement on Thursday within the framework of the Japanese Government’s Food Aid Program for the 2025 fiscal year, valued at 60.5 million escudos.
The agreement was formalized in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, José Luís Livramento Brito, and the Japanese Ambassador to Cape Verde, Takeshi Akamatsu, for the donation of 100 million Japanese yen, equivalent to 60.5 million escudos.
On the occasion, the head of Cape Verdean diplomacy explained that the program is part of a “solid, predictable and long-standing” cooperation, and that it has contributed concretely to strengthening the country’s food security and economic resilience, in an international context marked by multiple global challenges.
“That is why our cooperation is historic, and the people of Cape Verde know how to recognize this support and acknowledge all its solidarity,” he said, highlighting the five decades of cooperation between the two governments.
According to the minister, this agreement adds to other ongoing structuring projects between Cape Verde and Japan, namely in the fields of water, health, fisheries and human development, reflecting an increasingly diversified partnership, oriented towards results and aligned with national priorities for sustainable development.
The Japanese ambassador to Cape Verde, Takeshi Akamatsu, stressed that as island nations, the two countries share similar experiences regarding the benefits and challenges imposed by nature.
He considered that the year 2025 takes on a “special significance,” as it simultaneously marks the 50th anniversary of Cape Verde’s independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In this context, he recalled that Japanese food assistance, provided almost annually since 1980 at the request of Cape Verde, has now lasted 43 years, demonstrating the strength and durability of the bilateral friendship.
He further stated that last year approximately 968 tons of rice were donated, and the newly announced donation foresees approximately 991 tons of rice, intended to support Cape Verdean families and meet the nutritional needs of the population.
“This aid is not only intended to meet immediate food needs,” he pointed out, indicating that through projects financed by the Counterpart Fund, it also contributes to the eradication of extreme poverty and social inclusion.
According to Takeshi Akamatsu, the initiative is also aligned with the Yokohama Declaration, adopted at TICAD 9 last August, which reinforces the importance of building sustainable food systems and promoting the blue economy.
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