On October 20, Okayama University held a signing ceremony on campus to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations University (UNU). The agreement was signed by Dr. Aya Suzuki, Senior Vice-Rector of UNU, and President Yasuto Nasu. In attendance from UNU were Professor Shinobu Yamaguchi, Director of the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), and Ms. Taka Horio, Programme Coordinator of UNU. Representing Okayama University were Executive Director Yukari Mimura (Planning, Evaluation and General Affairs) and Vice President Atsufumi Yokoi (Global Engagement).

Through this agreement, the two universities have agreed to strengthen collaboration across a broad range of areas, including education, research, and student exchange, with the shared goal of contributing to the realization of a sustainable society. President Nasu stated, “We would like to actively promote research collaboration with the 13 research institutes that UNU operates across 12 countries, as well as develop internship programs for graduate students.” Senior Vice-Rector Suzuki expressed appreciation for Okayama University’s longstanding initiatives and conveyed expectations for further deepening cooperation between the two institutions.

The two universities have strengthened their relationship since jointly hosting the First Global Conference of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in December 2017, together with UNU-IAS and RCE Okayama. Exchanges have since expanded through participation in the SDG University Platform in April 2022 and through leadership roles in the Sustainable Campus Subcommittee within the platform beginning in April 2023. In October 2024, UNU Rector Professor Tshilidzi Marwala visited Okayama University and delivered a lecture titled “The Role of the United Nations University in Advancing the SDGs.” Cooperation has further progressed through the participation of Okayama University faculty in the newly established action group “AI and the Future of Higher Education” under the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), President Nasu’s address at the HESI Global Forum in July 2025, and his invitation to attend the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of UNU in September 2025.

Furthermore, during the 14th Global RCE Conference, held from October 21 to 23 and organized by UNU-IAS, Okayama City, and RCE Okayama, Okayama University is responsible for organizing a thematic session and a field visit. Further strengthening of collaboration with UNU is anticipated.

About RCE (Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development)
RCEs are regional networks formally acknowledged by UNU-IAS to promote Education for Sustainable Development at the local level.

About the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI)
HESI is a partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community, aimed at emphasizing the critical role of higher education in achieving sustainable development. It organizes an annual Global Forum as a special event of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). HESI is currently chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UNU, the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC), and the Sulitest Association. Other UN partners include UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), UN-Habitat, UNCTAD, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the UN Office for Partnerships, and the United Nations Academic Impact.

About the 14th Global RCE Conference
The Global RCE Conference brings together RCE stakeholders worldwide to review achievements in ESD and discuss future directions. Following its hosting during the UNESCO World Conference on ESD in 2014, this marks the second time the conference has been held in Okayama City—the first instance of multiple editions being hosted in the same city.