Cooperation with International Organizations (UNESCO,UNU)
Reception for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations University
On December 4, 2025, Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations University (UNU), the only United Nations organs whose headquarters is based in Japan.
The reception was attended by approximately 150 people including; Professor Sir Hilary, Chairperson of the UNU Council; Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of UNU; the honorable members of the UNU Council; Mr. AOYAMA Shigeharu, State Minister of the Environment; Ms. FUKUDA Kaoru, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and distinguished guests from academia and business communities. From Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs had an opening speech as the host of this reception. The overview of the speech is as follows.
- I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the United Nations University's 50th anniversary. We also warmly welcome all the esteemed Board members, who have made significant contributions to the development of UNU, to Japan.
- As a think tank for the entire UN system, UNU makes significant contributions to research and human resource development aimed at resolving challenges facing the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has actively supported UNU for half a century. As division and confrontation advance within the international community and global challenges intensify, the role of UNU is becoming increasingly important.
- I am delighted to note that cooperation with our country is progressing in a diverse range of fields, such as in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Japan will continue to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the international community in partnership with UNU.
(Reference) 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. UNU focuses on pressing global issues that are especially important for the United Nations and its Member States. In 2010, 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.