by Linda Straker
- Minister Andall met with Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Discussion focused on observing 50th anniversary of both countries establishing diplomatic relations, and water sector cooperation
- Grenada participating under subtheme “Empowering lives”
Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall, who is leading Grenada’s delegation to EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, held a 35-minute meeting with Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
A news release on Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website stated that the discussion between the 2 ministers focused on several topics ,including observing the 50th anniversary of both countries establishing diplomatic relations, and water sector cooperation. “Regarding cooperation in the water sector, Minister Iwaya stated that Japan plans to invite trainees from Grenada and provide training programmes in Japan aimed at capacity-building in relation to the water security of small island states. He also referred to the progress in various efforts toward the development of people-to-people exchanges.”
The release noted that Minister Andall expressed his appreciation for Japan’s cooperation based on the 3 pillars of Japan’s Caricom Policy, and his expectation for further cooperation, including capacity building in the health sector among others, and revitalisation of people-to-people exchanges. Further, the release said, “The 2 ministers also exchanged views on regional and international situations, such as North Korea including its abduction issue, and concurred in advancing further cooperation in the international arena, following last December’s Japan-Caricom Ministerial Joint Statement, which stated that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable.”
The 2 ministers agreed to deepen cooperation as true friends on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, 17 April. Japan is of the view that Grenada’s participation in the 184-day Expo in Osaka is a sign of friendship between the 2 countries. The expo, which opened in Japan on Sunday, 13 April under the general theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” carries 3 sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.
A news release from the Government Information Service (GIS) said the expo offers the perfect global stage for Grenada to invite new partnerships, inspire collaboration, and solidify its role in shaping a healthier, more prosperous future.
Grenada is participating under the subtheme “Empowering lives”, which emphasises the importance of education, diversity, and inclusion and seeks to explore how technology and social innovation can support social equality and equal opportunities for all. “The forward-thinking presentation, themed “Health and Prosperity in Harmony,” aims to demonstrate how the integration of health, wellness, and economic growth can create a sustainable, inclusive model for national development,” said the GIS release.
Minister Andall is accompanied by Grenada’s Ambassador to China Ian Marshall; Ambassador Richard Nixon; Ronald Theodore, Director, Investment Migration Agency (IMA); Karline Purcell, (IMA) and Gail Purcell, Commissioner General, Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Grenada last participated in a World Expo during Expo 2020, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and previously participated in the World Expo in China in 2010, Italy in 2015 and Kazakhstan in 2017. Grenada is one of 158 countries participating in the Japan Expo, which is expected to attract up to 28 million visitors, both domestic and international.
