Top > Public Diplomacy/Culture > Cooperation with International Organizations

Cooperation with International Organizations

March 2013

As the world grows increasingly interdependent within the context of globalization, there has been a corresponding increase in incidences requiring cooperation beyond bilateral relations to address emerging issues facing the international community.

There is also renewed awareness within the international community of the role that factors such as culture and education can play in bringing about stability and prosperity to the entire international community. This awareness is fostered through discussions on the promotion of education to empower people in the fight against poverty and the role of culture in development.

On the basis of this awareness, the Government of Japan actively supports UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the United Nations University, which carry out activities in the fields of culture, education and science.

(1) Cooperation with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

UNESCO was founded in 1946 as a specialized agency of the United Nations based on the ideal that peace must be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind. Since its foundation, UNESCO has worked continually to promote world peace through international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. Japan joined UNESCO in 1951.

Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, the first ever Director-General of UNESCO from Asia, was appointed in 1999. His appointment was renewed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2005 for a second term, which expired in November 2009. During his tenure, he promoted reforms of UNESCO such as decentralization as well as organizational and programme reform. The Member States including Japan highly appreciate his efforts and Ms.Irina Bokova, his successor, announced her commitment to continue these reforms. Japan will continue its active support to these efforts.

(2) Cooperation with the United Nations University

The United Nations University is a UN organisation established based on UN General Assembly's resolution (64/225) and with its headquarters in Japan. It was founded in 1975, and with the cooperation of outstanding academics from around the world, serves as a platform to address the various issues facing the international society, while at the same time taking on the role of a think tank for the UN system as a whole. In 2010 the post in graduate degree programmes were established, and in March 2013 Dr. David M. Malone was appointed as the sixth Rector of the United Nations University.

Construction of the United Nations University Headquarters, which was completed in 1992, was carried out with the full cooperation of the Government of Japan, which also extends various types of support to the management and academic research of the university.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to continue its support for research activities addressing global problems, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge being carried out by the United Nations University with a focus on various aspects of sustainability such as peace, governance, gender, environment and development and poverty reduction.

(3) Press Release & Speech

Back to Index