On April 7, Prof. Atsufumi Yokoi, Vice President for Global Engagement and UNESCO Chairholder at our university, delivered the opening speech on behalf of Japan at the CSTD Exhibition opening ceremony. This event was part of the 28th annual meeting of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from April 7 to 11. Among attendees, including UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan and UN ambassadors from various countries, Vice President Prof. Yokoi was the only invitee representing global higher education institutions. He delivered a strong message about the importance of collaboration projects between universities and UN agencies through direct partnerships for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for the SDGs and emphasized the significance of supporting the participation of female scientists in this context.

The exhibition was themed “Women in STI” throughout the CSTD annual meeting, featuring initiatives focused on female researchers from different countries. Our university’s booth was managed by Ms. Miki Harada, Chief Officer of the Global Engagement Center, and Ms. Yu Tsuha, Global Administrator (UGA). They highlighted the “Joint Research and Training Course for Young Female Researchers from Developing Countries (Short Program),” based on our track record of hosting 27 young female researchers and 4 doctoral candidates from developing countries through collaborative programs with UNCTAD for STI for the SDGs. The booth attracted significant interest from attendees. Mr. Ryoji Ishii, Minister from the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva, visited the exhibition, expressing a deep understanding of our efforts representing Japan through direct collaboration with UN agencies. Minister Ishii also provided valuable insights into the future role of universities and partnerships with UN organizations.

During the session, Vice President Prof. Yokoi was interviewed by UN media, where he emphasized the importance of human resource development for the global society and the need for self-transformation before societal change. He highlighted the significance of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), a strength of Okayama University and Okayama region, in driving social transformation towards a desirable future for the region and the planet. This message is scheduled to be shared with 195 member countries at the 16th UNCTAD Ministerial Conference in Vietnam in October 2025.

Okayama University will continue strengthening direct collaboration with UNCTAD, the central UN agency for STI for the SDGs, promoting initiatives for human resource development that contribute to co-creating a desirable future for the region and the world, and actively disseminating these efforts domestically and internationally.

○ United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Established in 1964, UNCTAD, based in Geneva, is the UN’s central agency addressing trade, development, finance, investment, technology, and sustainable development issues comprehensively. It aims to maximize trade, investment, and development opportunities for developing countries, supporting them in addressing challenges arising from globalization and integrating them into the global economy on an equal footing.