Egypt: Ahmed Aboul Gheit makes first official visit to Japan to attend Arab-Japanese economic forum

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, departed yesterday for Tokyo on his first official visit to Japan. His visit is centered around attending the fifth session of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum, where he will also participate in a series of interviews and official activities.

This visit holds particular significance as it marks Ahmed Aboul Gheit’s inaugural official visit since assuming his role as Secretary-General.

Jamal Rashidi, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, stated that Ahmed Aboul Gheit is scheduled to participate in the fifth session of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum on the 10th and 11th of this month.

The forum is organized by the Arab League Secretariat General in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

The spokesperson clarified that the forum’s proceedings will be inaugurated by Ahmed Aboul Gheit alongside Yuko Kamikawa, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ken Saito, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

The Arab side will be represented by several ministers from the energy, trade, industry, and economic sectors.

The current session of the forum focuses on partnership, enhancing Arab-Japanese trade exchange, and cooperation in energy transition, digital transformation, and investment.

Furthermore, the spokesperson anticipates that the official visit to Japan will include several crucial meetings with Japanese political leaders, including the Secretary-General of the Cabinet, acting Prime Minister of Japan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Japanese Parliament.

Additionally, a meeting with the Minister of Digital Transformation is scheduled. These meetings aim to exchange viewpoints on pressing regional and international issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, which remains central to the Arab League’s agenda, especially in light of recent developments and grave events due to the Israeli aggression on Gaza since last October.