Policy Updates

On November 11, 2024, JICA announced a new climate strategy for agricultural and rural development cooperation to address the pressing need for climate resilience and sustainable practices, particularly in developing nations facing heightened climate risks.

Emphasizing human security, this strategy aligns with Japan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and integrates both adaptation and mitigation measures across JICA’s agricultural and rural projects to enhance food security, bolster livelihoods, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts.

The strategy identifies six core actions:

• Developing climate impact assessment tools;
• Proposing customized adaptation approaches;
• Reviewing current projects for climate impacts;
• Incorporating resilience in new projects;
• Promoting mitigation techniques; and
• Advancing knowledge-sharing efforts.

Key focal areas include:

• Enhancing water resource efficiency;
• Promoting sustainable farming; and
• Supporting innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in regions heavily affected by climate change.

Through this framework, JICA aims to create more sustainable agriculture systems by 2030. The strategy fosters cross-sector collaboration, data-informed assessments, and practical climate solutions to build resilient rural economies. Japan is also committed to sharing insights and findings internationally, thus contributing to global efforts toward climate-smart agriculture and rural development.

From September 6-13, 2024, Japan signed agreements to provide JPY900 million (US$6 million) in food assistance to the Central African Republic, Liberia, and Malawi through WFP, reinforcing its commitment to addressing food crises in Africa.

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• Central African Republic: JPY200 million (US$1 million) to alleviate food shortages due to ongoing humanitarian crises and global price hikes, assisting 2.5 million people;
• Liberia: JPY400 million (US$3 million) to improve food security and nutrition, addressing the country’s heavy reliance on rice imports and underdeveloped agricultural infrastructure; and
• Malawi: JPY300 million (US$2 million) to address food insecurity caused by Cyclone Freddy and El Niño-related droughts, targeting vulnerable populations.

These contributions align with Japan’s pledges from TICAD 8 to support sustainable agriculture and food security.

On August 13 and 14, 2024, Japan signed and exchanged notes for grant agreements totaling JPY1.6 billion (US$11 million) with several countries, including Togo, Gambia, Lesotho, South Sudan, and Palestine, focusing on food assistance.

The funds were outlined as:

• Togo: JPY250 million (US$2 million) to improve food security, particularly for rice, addressing issues stemming from inadequate agricultural infrastructure and economic challenges;
• Gambia: JPY250 million (US$2 million) to bolster food security, especially in rural areas affected by high food prices and climate change;
• Lesotho: JPY200 million (US$1 million), in collaboration with the WFP, to address severe food insecurity exacerbated by natural disasters and economic issues;
• South Sudan: JPY500 million (US$3 million), provided through the WFP, to address the country’s worsening food crisis due to floods and the return of refugees; and
• Palestine: JPY400 million (US$3 million) via the WFP to address the urgent food crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and economic challenges.

These initiatives align with Japan’s commitment to addressing food crises and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, as emphasized in the 2022 TICAD8 and the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit.

In August 2024, Japan signed a series of agreements to provide a total of JPY800 (US$5 million) in grants for food assistance through the WFP to Eswatini, Mozambique, and Guinea.

Japan will provide JPY200 million (US$1 million) to Eswatini to address severe food shortages caused by droughts, heatwaves, and floods, aiming to improve food security.

JPY300 million (US$2 million) is set to go to Mozambique to help alleviate hunger, particularly in the conflict-affected Cabo Delgado region, where over 1.5 million people face severe food insecurity.

Japan will provide JPY300 million (US$2 million) to Guinea to address rice shortages and enhance food security, especially after India's rice export ban.

These efforts are part of Japan's commitment to addressing food crises and supporting sustainable agricultural production, as pledged during the 2022 TICAD8 summit and the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit.

On July 19, 2024, Japan signed an agreement for four grant aid projects totaling JPY4.6 billion (US$30 million). The projects aim to address various issues including human resource development, healthcare, landmine removal, and food assistance.

The human resource development project, worth JPY239 million (US$2 million), will support young Senegalese officials in obtaining master's degrees in Japan, enhancing their administrative capabilities and strengthening bilateral ties.

The healthcare project, with a budget of JPY3.7 billion (US$24 million), will expand and equip Thies Regional Hospital to improve diagnosis and treatment facilities, addressing the rising burden of NCDs in Senegal and its neighboring countries.

The landmine removal project, valued at JPY460 million (US$3 million), will provide demining equipment to help clear mines in the Casamance region, facilitating road construction and agricultural development.

The JPY200 million (US$1 million) food assistance project will supply Japanese rice to Senegal to enhance food security, which has been challenged by climate change and the Ukraine crisis.

On June 11, 2024, Japan hosted the Japan-Ukraine Public-Private Roundtable in Germany to discuss measures for the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine, involving both public and private sectors.

Approximately 60 Japanese and Ukrainian companies participated in the conference. The meeting aimed to expand cooperation in fields such as agriculture, renewable energy, and housing construction.

In February 2024, during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo, the two countries agreed on seven key areas of support, including social infrastructure and demining. They signed over 50 cooperation agreements to facilitate specific forms of support.

The restoration of Ukraine’s agriculture is a critical focus, given that agricultural land accounts for 70% of Ukraine’s total land area. Japan plans to sign five memoranda of understanding to bolster Ukraine’s agricultural production. Companies including Yanmar Agribusiness Co. and Kubota Corp. discussed supplying agricultural machinery with Ukrainian authorities. Additionally, the Japanese government pledged to streamline customs clearance procedures to support these initiatives.

In the renewable energy sector, Japan and Ukraine aim to strengthen cooperation in developing wind power and other renewable sources. This initiative aligns with the broader goals discussed during the G7+ energy meeting held on June 11, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Japanese Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Kazuchika Iwata, emphasized Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s energy needs and facilitating collaboration between companies from both nations.

During the Berlin conference, Iwata also met with Polish Special Representative for Ukraine Development Cooperation Pawel Kowal. They discussed enhancing collaboration between Japan and Poland in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, given Poland’s pivotal role in Ukraine’s recovery.

On May 23-25, 2024, the G7 Ministers of Finance met at a summit in Stresa, Italy, where the ministers voiced support for contributions to the IDA, WHO, Gavi, and the Global Fund in the resulting communiqué.

The G7 ministers supported efforts towards a successful 21^st replenishment of the IDA by the end of 2024 through an ambitious policy and financing package. Notably, they did not give a concrete signal that the critical US$100 billion threshold requested by the World Bank will be crossed, nor any indication of the US$120 billion expected by African leaders.

The ministers reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the governance and finance of the global health architecture and voiced support for refinancing processes of several GHIs, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO, and the Global Fund, and expressed support for the Pandemic Fund. The communiqué called on the donor community to coordinate efforts and increase investments in global health in line with their capacities to ensure sustainable funding and maximize the impact of available resources.

Following the summit, the C7 pointed out the G7's lack of ambition and financial commitment to international development, including climate adaptation. International civil society organizations criticized the lack of any reference to allocating SDRs to global solidarity.

On May 14-15, 2024, the C7 summit was held at the UN FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, organized by the Italian Civil Society Coalition that led, coordinated, and moderated the C7 2024 process.

Approximately 400 global representatives took part in the event, as well as international decision-makers, including FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, Italian G7 sherpa Ambassador Elisabetta Belloni, Cardinal, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Pope’s envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict Matteo Maria Zuppi, and Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign Marina Ponti.

The official C7 communiqué that listed the international civil society recommendation to the G7’s Leaders around seven key issues was released at the event, which included:

• Economic justice and transformation;
• Climate, energy transformation, and environmental justice;
• Global health;
• Principled humanitarian assistance;
• Peace, common security, and nuclear disarmament;
• Human mobility and migration; and
• Food justice and food systems transformation.

On May 9, 2024, JICA and G7 countries’ development finance institutions gave a joint statement on coordinated responses to global crises such as climate change and food security.

The statement emphasized collaboration through financial and investment channels, mobilizing private funds, and supporting initiatives such as climate change mitigation, quality infrastructure development, food security, assistance for Ukraine, and the Impact Investment Initiative. The regional focus is on Africa and other low-income regions, leveraging G7 public development banks and DFIs to promote sustainable development.

The G7 public development banks and DFIs committed to addressing global challenges during the 2024 Italian G7 presidency, focusing on climate and energy, infrastructure, sustainable food systems, support for Ukraine, health, gender equality, and artificial intelligence. They noted goals to enhance coordination and act as facilitators between public and private sectors to support high-impact projects, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.

On April 25, 2024, Japan and Nigeria signed a JPY15 billion (US$97 million) loan agreement aimed at addressing Nigeria’s food security crisis by investing in agricultural infrastructure.

Under the terms of the grant, Nigeria will benefit from favorable conditions, including a low-interest rate and a lengthy repayment period of 30 years, with a grace period of 10 years. The loan is untied, allowing Nigeria flexibility in procuring necessary goods and services for its agricultural sector. By providing financial assistance for agricultural reforms, improved access to inputs for small-scale farmers, and enhancing domestic production capacity, Japan’s support seeks to contribute to the stability and development of Nigeria’s economy and society.

Japan’s commitment to aiding Nigeria’s food security aligns with its broader engagement in African development initiatives. At the TICAD8 in August 2022, Japan pledged to address food crises and support sustainable agricultural production in the region.