On 10 December, 2025, UNU will host the Next Generation Forum for Gender Equality "Path to Gender Equality: Perspectives and Actions of Young People". This event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and co-organized by UNU, will start at 13:30 in 5F Elizabeth Rose Conference Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which provided guidelines for efforts towards achieving gender equality, stating that "women's rights are human rights" at the Fourth World Conference on Women. During this time, the international community has undertaken various efforts to achieve gender equality. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set by the United Nations in 2015 as international goals aiming for a sustainable and better world by 2030, include Goals 5: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls". However, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, based on the current speed of progress, it will take 123 years to reach full gender parity globally, and it is necessary to further accelerate efforts.
This forum aims to provide youth, as future promoters of gender equality, with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of international discussions and issues in the field of gender, as well as to promote research and discussions among youth, foster their development and help build networks. The forum will focus on encouraging young participants to develop their own views and connect their ideas to future actions, through an interactive format.
This forum will welcome Executive Director of UN Women Dr. Sima Bahous to deliver a keynote speech on international issues and trends surrounding gender equality and share her message to youth. The keynote will be followed by panel discussions and presentations from young researchers.
The event will be held in English and Japanese with simultaneous interpretation. Advance registration (by 3 December) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
UNU@50
This event is part of the UNU 50th anniversary celebration. To learn more, visit: https://unu.edu/unuat50
Programme
13:00-13:30 Registration
Opening
- Opening Remarks: Iwao Horii, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Keynote Speech: Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women; Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
Session 1: Panel Discussion on Women’s Participation
- Miki Nagashima, Advocacy Group Leader, Plan International Japan (Moderator)
- Arfiya Eri, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Dayoung Ham, CEO/CTO, bgrass Inc.
- Anna Kreshchenko, Chief Executive Officer, Flora Co., Ltd.
- Chika Minami, Representative Director, Public Meets Innovation (General Incorporated Association)
- Naoki Takanosu, Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Department, ESG Management Promotion Headquarters, Sekisui House, Ltd.
Session 2: Report from Young Researchers
- Remi Kodomaya, Specially Appointed Lecturer, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University
- Natsumi Inoue, Student, College of Liberal Arts, International Christian University
Session 3: Panel Discussion on Gender Bias (Gender Roles) Hindering the Promotion of Women's Participation
- Renge Jibu, Associate Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo (Moderator)
- Shuhei Nakata, President, Nakata Kogei Co., Ltd.
- Ayano Sakurai, Representative Director and President, GENCOURAGE, General Incorporated Association
- Sayaka Tanaka, Founder/CEO, NPO Waffle
- Haruka Ueno, Team Leader, Policy Recommendation Team, #YourChoiceProject (non-profit organization)
Closing
- Closing Remarks by Prof. Aya Suzuki, Senior Vice-Rector of the United Nations University; Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations
For the latest information about this event, please visit the website of MOFA Japan.
