Cooperation with International Organizations (UNESCO,UNU)

December 6, 2024
Group Photo, with Professor Olonisakin, Chairperson of the UNU Council, Professor Marwala, Rector of the UNU, Mr. Kobayashi, State Minister of the Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ikuina, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Kinjo, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ms. Ikuina, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs is delivering her speech

On December 5, 2024, Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception in Tokyo, on the occasion of the 82nd Session of Council of the United Nations University (UNU), the only United Nations organs whose headquarters are based in Japan. This reception was organized to strengthen the cooperation between the UNU and various communities concerned in Japan.

The reception was attended by approximately 140 people including; Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Chairperson of the UNU Council; Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the UNU; the honorable members of the UNU Council; Mr. KOBAYASHI Fumiaki, State Minister of the Environment; Mr. KINJO Yasukuni, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and distinguished guests from academia and business communities. From Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. IKUINA Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs attended and had an opening speech as the host of this reception. The overview of the speech is as follows.

  1. We would like to express our heartfelt welcome to Japan to all the members of the United Nations University Council and appreciate their significant contribution for growth of the UNU.
  2. The UNU, as a think tank for the United Nations System, through conducting research to resolve pressing global issues, including the realization of the SDGs, and in recent years, it has also strengthened its role as an educational institution to foster the next generation through graduate degree programs.
  3. In 2025, the UNU will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment. We intend to provide maximum support for the activities of the UNU, only United Nations organs whose headquarters are based in Japan, and to continue to strengthen cooperation with the UNU.
(Reference1) United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU), with its headquarters in Japan, is a global research and teaching organization with 13 affiliated institutions and programs in 12 countries worldwide. The UNU focuses on pressing global issues that are especially important for the United Nations and its Member States. In 2010, the UNU launched the post-graduate degree programs. These programs aim to cultivate human resources who will play active roles in international organizations such as UN agencies.

(Reference2) United Nations University Council

The Council is the governing board of the UNU and holds a regular session twice a year. The 82nd Session was held at the UNU headquarters from December 5 to 6 to discuss and deliver decisions concerning its management. The UNU's 12 Council members are appointed in an individual capacity by the UN Secretary-General and the UNESCO Director-General, and they include: heads of major universities and the opinion leaders of individual country. The Council members serve a six-year term. As Japanese, Ambassador SATO Kuni, Advisor, East Japan Railway Trading Co., Ltd., was appointed in 2017.


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