Japan’s Statement at UNCTAD16 (21 October 2025)
2025/11/5
On 21 October, Minister Kondo Norifumi, Deputy Permanent Representative, delivered Japan’s statement at the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his remarks, Minister Kondo emphasized that trade remained a cornerstone of the global economy and sustainable development, and underscored the importance of UNCTAD’s role and multilateral cooperation in addressing increasingly complex challenges, such as geopolitical tensions and widening inequalities. He also highlighted Japan’s efforts under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to promote a shift “from aid to investment,” as well as its collaboration with UNCTAD to enhance value addition and diversification of critical energy transition minerals (CETMs) value chains in Southern Africa. He expressed Japan’s intention to further strengthen cooperation with UNCTAD toward achieving the SDGs.
In his remarks, Minister Kondo emphasized that trade remained a cornerstone of the global economy and sustainable development, and underscored the importance of UNCTAD’s role and multilateral cooperation in addressing increasingly complex challenges, such as geopolitical tensions and widening inequalities. He also highlighted Japan’s efforts under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to promote a shift “from aid to investment,” as well as its collaboration with UNCTAD to enhance value addition and diversification of critical energy transition minerals (CETMs) value chains in Southern Africa. He expressed Japan’s intention to further strengthen cooperation with UNCTAD toward achieving the SDGs.
