Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says he will use the upcoming Group of Seven summit to boost G7 engagement with emerging and developing nations collectively known as the Global South. Japan will host the summit in the city of Hiroshima from May 19.
Kishida was speaking on Thursday at a news conference in Mozambique, the fourth and last leg of his Africa tour.
He said he will draw on his diplomatic achievements during discussions at the summit to strengthen unity of the G7 and its engagement with the Global South.
Kishida said that at a time when the international community is marking a historic turning point, the G7 needs to show it is committed to safeguarding a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Many Global South nations, including African countries, tend to take a non-aligned stance over the situation in Ukraine.
Kishida warned that a plot is in the works to split the world by giving an erroneous impression that surging food and energy prices are stemming from G7 sanctions against Russia.
The prime minister said Japan needs to offer active cooperation in a tangible manner, act as a bridge between the G7 and the Global South, and follow through with the rule of law.
He also stressed the need to form closer ties with Global South nations by understanding various challenges facing them and sincerely providing support to solve the issues.
He explained that he agreed with African leaders during his trip that Japan would help their nations resolve challenges. He added that they confirmed that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world.
Kishida said he and the African leaders also discussed Sudan. He said Japan will join hands with other countries to help calm the situation in Sudan and restore order by dispatching a special envoy and supplying emergency humanitarian assistance.