Discussing key issues with key players
The UNU Conversation Series provides a unique public platform for influential experts, world leaders and respected scholars and authors to share personal insights on contemporary global affairs, politics, and media. Held in Tokyo at UNU headquarters, the conversations are hosted and moderated by UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General Tshilidzi Marwala. The events are free and open to the public, and offer a distinctly cordial atmosphere allowing the audience to engage with featured guests, ask questions and share their ideas, both during the conversations and at casual receptions that follow each event.
Key issues
Conversation Series topics span the full breadth of UNU’s work, touching on matters of critical importance to Japan and the world. Topics of discussion have included peace and security, international relations, migration, governance, sustainable development, climate change, employment, higher education and many others.
Key players
UNU has welcomed more than 100 notable speakers to the Conversation Series stage, including ambassadors, members of the Japanese government, United Nations leaders, distinguished academics, and public personalities from media and civil society.
Upcoming and previous conversations
Conversation Series
Sustainability in the Private Sector: The Importance of Greening the Logistics Industry
Conversation Series
Navigating Economic Cooperation: Reflections on 80 Years Since Bretton Woods
Conversation Series
Youth Engagement in Politics and the Role of Education in Building the Next Generation of Leaders
Conversation Series
Global AI Governance: The Risks of Artificial Intelligence to International Peace and Security
Conversation Series
The Peacebuilding Architecture Review: Building and Sustaining Peace in 2025 and Beyond
Conversation Series
One Hundred Years of the International Drug Prohibition Regime in Latin America
Conversation Series
Lessons from Japanese Education and Health Care
Conversation Series
Human Rights in Asia: Has Authoritarian Governance Undermined Progress?
Conversation Series
Robotics and AI: The Future Today
Conversation Series
The Future of Education — Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating the SDGs and Global Citizenship into High School Education
Conversation Series
Global South, Global Peace: How to Achieve Sustainable Peace on a Global Scale
Conversation Series
Uniting Business for a Better World: How the Private Sector Will Help Advance the 2030 Agenda and Beyond
Conversation Series
Navigating the Polycrisis — Challenges and Opportunities for Global Security and Cooperation
Conversation Series
Healthy Land: Why Combating Desertification is Crucial for Human Security
Conversation Series
Climate Action: Can We Avoid Climate Tipping Points Through Global Cooperation?
Conversation Series
Peaceful Negotiation under International Law — Lessons from Timor-Leste’s Maritime Boundaries
Conversation Series
The Role of Education for Sustainable Development in Transforming Education
Conversation Series
Food Systems in Africa: The Role of Food Sovereignty in Promoting Sustainable Development
Conversation Series
Global Crises and United Nations Response and Innovations: Lessons Learned, Challenges and Prospects
Conversation Series