Leaders from Japan and African countries at a Tokyo-led conference have stressed the importance of what they call "sound development finance." It comes at a time when China has been offering huge loans to African nations.

The leaders adopted the Tunis Declaration and concluded the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD 8, in Tunisia on Sunday.

The declaration calls private-sector investment "critical for Africa's inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development."

It says the leaders reaffirm the importance of Japan-Africa partnership to promote innovation from the private sector through technology transfer and to strengthen industrial human resources development.

It says they "recognize the transformative roles of start-ups and private companies, including youth and women entrepreneurship, as emerging driving force to resolve social challenges in Africa."

The declaration says the leaders "stress the importance of sound development finance adhering to international rules and standards." They "urge all major creditors including private lenders to adopt and follow fair and open lending practices."

The declaration says the leaders "fully commit to achieving universal health coverage in African countries" as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in the health sector.

It says they "highlight the need to address Africa's limited access to vaccines and medical products, especially in crisis circumstances."

The declaration says that to achieve sustainable development in Africa, the leaders emphasize "the pressing need to address environmental issues," such as climate change, natural disasters, waste management and desertification. They call for "scaled-up international support" for Africa to tackle the challenges.

The declaration says the leaders "express serious concern about the situation in Ukraine and its impact on African and global economies."

It says they "emphasize the importance of the preservation of peace, security and stability, through dialogue and respect for the principles of international law."

They also "call upon all international partners to support African countries to overcome the increasing food and energy prices."

The declaration says the leaders reaffirm their "commitment to realizing a world without nuclear weapons" and recognize "the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the nuclear weapons use."

It says they "are committed to maintain and strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime."

The declaration also says the leaders are determined to cooperate to accelerate the reform of the UN Security Council.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio spoke online at a joint news conference at TICAD on Sunday. He canceled his in-person attendance after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Kishida said Japan aspires to be a partner that grows together with Africa. He said Japan contributes strongly to the continent's development by jointly overcoming challenges.