The theme of the symposium will be the Millennium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP), the Africa's own development strategy for the continent that is being developed by President Obasanjo, along with President Mbeki of South Africa and President Bouteflika of Algeria.

The 2001 symposium is intended to serve to familiarize stakeholders in Japan with the background and substance of the MAP as well as to provide critical input into the plan from Africa's partners in development. Through this symposium, organizers hope to make contributions to the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for December 2001 which will be hosted by the Government of Japan, UN, GCA (Global Coalition for Africa), and the World Bank. Attached please find a programme for the day. Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Japanese will be provided.

The Africa Day symposium is an annual event in celebration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It is organized by the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo (ADC) and United Nations University (UNU).

This year's symposium will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 22 May 2001 in the U Thant International Conference Hall (3F) at the United Nations University. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend.