Assembly/AU/Dec.171 (X) DECISION ON THE STRENGTHENING OF COOPERATION BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT (TICAD) - DOC. EX.CL/373(XI)A The Assembly: 1. EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION for Japan’s sustained efforts to promote peace and prosperity in Africa, and for its initiative to organize TICAD IV in Yokohama, Japan from 28 to 30 May 2008; 2. TAKES NOTE of the progress made in the two Regional Preparatory Meetings in Zambia and Tunisia in October and November 2007 respectively, for the preparation of TICAD IV; 3. CALLS UPON Member States, the AU Commission and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to fully cooperate with the TICAD process in order to make strides ‘Towards a Vibrant Africa: A Continent of Hope and Opportunity’, which is the main theme of TICAD IV; 4. ALSO CALLS UPON Member States to elaborate concrete programmes and projects relating to the main areas of TICAD IV cooperation , namely (i) boosting economic growth, (iii) achieving the MDGs (ensuring human security), (iv) peace consolidation and (v) democratization and addressing environmental issues and climate change; 5. REQUESTS Member States to participate in the TICAD IV Ministerial Preparatory Conference in Gabon in March 2008 and ALSO REQUESTS the AU Commission, in collaboration with the RECs to provide necessary support to Member States in the above-mentioned Conference; 6. CALLS UPON African Heads of State and Government to fully participate in TICAD IV in conformity with the Banjul Decision (July 2006).