The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) convened an online meeting of university presidents in the Asia-Pacific region on May 14. President NASU Yasutomo, Vice President for Global Engagement, and UNESCO Chair Holder YOKOI Atsufumi were invited to attend, marking the second participation following the initial involvement in December 2021.

SDSN is the world’s largest network of experts dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University. At this meeting, over 100 universities from the Asia-Pacific region, recognized for their progressive efforts towards SDGs, were invited to exchange views on the role of universities in advancing sustainable development. Alongside Okayama University, two other Japanese institutions, the University of Tokyo and Hiroshima University, were also in attendance. Additionally, Vice President Yokoi is a member of the SDSN Japan Leadership Council.

In the opening address by Director Sachs of SDSN, the development of SDSN up to the present was mentioned, as well as the essential global collaboration necessary for the diversity and achievement of SDGs. A former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, delivered a keynote address emphasizing universities’ pivotal role in nurturing future leaders. Following this, experts from educational institutions in South Korea, Thailand, Samoa, China, and New Zealand delivered speeches outlining their respective initiatives and prospects regarding SDGs.

During the subsequent open discussion, President Nasu introduced Okayama University’s achievements based on SDGs-focused university management, highlighting its status as the first UNESCO Chair for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Asia and the first recipient of the Japan SDGs Award. He also conveyed that Okayama University is actively enhancing direct collaboration with United Nations agencies, as proposed by Director Sachs of SDSN. From a local perspective, President Nasu mentioned collaboration with youth in the “Digital Garden Health Special Zone” project. At the same time, from a global standpoint, cooperation with international organizations such as UNESCO, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the United Nations University for Peace was emphasized. President Nasu also mentioned the contribution of Okayama University’s talent development programs, especially in hosting young female scientists through UNCTAD, which contributes to closing the gender gap in science and technology innovation.

This September, the “Summit of the Future,” considered a historically significant conference within the United Nations for envisioning our collective future, will be held at the UN Headquarters in New York. This event garners considerable attention, setting the stage for discussions on the desired future of our regions and global society. Okayama University pledges to advance related initiatives that align further with this vision.

○The United Nations “Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)”
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) is a global network (non-profit organizations) established by then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2012 to promote the Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to find solutions to environmental, social, and economic problems worldwide and to find ways to realize sustainable societies through collaboration among academic institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders and to put them into practice cooperatively.
SDSN official website
SDSN Japan website

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