VISIT BY THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE HORN OF AFRICA
The partnership between the government of Japan and IPSTC continues to soar. We were privileged to welcome H.E Ambassador Shinsuke Shimizu, the Ambassador Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, for his first visit to the Center.
His visit brought him up to speed with IPSTC’s mandate and the successes we have achieved since our partnership with his government was signed off on the 23rd of June 2011. High on the list of achievements over the years include the enhanced regional capacity in the AU and UN peacekeeping missions, in addition to the development of training modules, 26 in number, through research, field visits, Training Needs Assessments and monitoring and evaluation.
As the Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Shimizu was particularly keen on exploring more avenues for partnerships with our Center, especially on the state of peace and security in the region. This is so, as Japan has attached great importance to the region, as it is linked to Japan’s policy on Africa’s development as per the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). As a result, fruitful discussions on the same took place.
Our Director, Brigadier Joyce Sitienei who led the discussions, was optimistic about strengthening the partnership between IPSTC and Japan, as we both have the opportunity to play a critical role in the Horn of Africa region in matters peace and security.
IPSTC will fondly remember the visit of the Ambassador, as he proceeded to plant a tree at the Center’s premises. Accompanying him during the visit were the Defence Attaché Japan to Kenya, Keiko Kawashima and Second Secretary, General and Political Affairs Embassy of Japan in Kenya, Kawabata Kohei.
