On 29 July 2025, UNU, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, will host the public event "Diplomacy in Transition: Women in Leadership" to spotlight the role of female leaders in shaping inclusive, peaceful and future-oriented international relations. This event will start at 17:00 in the 5F Elizabeth Rose Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
The world is facing growing divisions and setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, rather than yielding to pessimism, now is the time to strengthen global cooperation and reimagine diplomacy for a better future. Gender disparity remains one of the most pressing global challenges and, in Japan, the underrepresentation of women in leadership continues to hinder progress towards equality.
This event will bring together distinguished women ambassadors and international experts to explore the role of gender in diplomacy, the value of diverse perspectives in global negotiations, and how Japan can lead with innovation and inclusivity on the world stage.
"Diplomacy in Transition: Women in Leadership" will convene distinguished female leaders including:
- Ms. Mami Mizutori (Former Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for UNDRR)
- H.E. Ambassador Shorna-Kay M. Richards (Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan)
- H.E. Ambassador Melba Pría (Ambassador of Mexico to Japan)
This event will be held in English. Advance registration (by 28 July at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please plan to arrive early and be prepared to present identification at check-in.
UNU@50
This event is part of the UNU 50th anniversary celebration. To learn more, visit: https://unu.edu/unuat50
Programme
17:00 — Opening remarks
- Ms. Yukiko Okano, Ambassador for International Cultural Exchange, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
17:05 — Guest presentations
- Ms. Mami Mizutori, “Disasters in Japan and the World” — Drawing from her six-year tenure with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms. Mizutori will address disaster risk reduction through the lens of gender and humanitarian perspectives, highlighting the importance of future-oriented reconstruction rather than restoration.
- H.E. Ambassador Shorna-Kay M. Richards, “Peace and Security from a Gender and Global Perspective” — Ambassador Richards will speak on global peace and security with particular focus on the Hibakusha issue and gender-responsive disarmament. She will also emphasize the role of data and international cooperation.
- H.E. Ambassador Melba Pría, "Women’s Empowerment in Mexico: What Can We Learn from It?” — Ambassador Pría will explore Mexico’s progress towards gender parity in politics, including the landmark 2024 election of the country’s first female president. She will discuss how gender quotas and public funding mechanisms contributed to these gains and how Japan and other countries might apply similar lessons.
17:50 — Panel discussion
Moderator: Prof. Sawako Shirahase, UNU Senior Vice-Rector and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations
Key discussion questions:
- Why is the inclusion of women critical to the future of Japanese diplomacy?
- What kind of diplomacy is required for the next generation?
- Why is diversity essential for diplomacy in today’s peacebuilding efforts?
