On 5 December 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan hosted a reception at UNU Headquarters to welcome the UNU Council to Tokyo as Council Members meet for their 82nd session.
The occasion brought together distinguished guests from Tokyo’s diplomatic community, institutions, and Japan’s government ministries, and UNU staff and Council Members, for an evening of addresses, friendship and dinner. The occasion provided a special opportunity for UNU and the Government of Japan to acknowledge their shared achievements over nearly five decades of partnership.
Opening the reception, Ms. Akiko Ikuina, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, remarked: “First and foremost, I would like to extend a warm welcome to UNU Council Members who contribute significantly to UNU’s development.
“In recent years, UNU has strengthened its role as an educational institution that nurtures the next generation of leaders through its graduate degree programmes. Against this backdrop, the collaboration between the Japanese government and UNU is steadily deepening.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Rector Marwala and the UNU Council Members for your cooperation, understanding and contributions. I wish UNU and everyone present here continued success.”
UNU Council Chair ‘Funmi Olonisakin also expressed her appreciation: “It is a privilege to be in such distinguished company at this reception, graciously hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. On behalf of the UNU Council, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for its unwavering support and for hosting UNU here in Tokyo for nearly 50 years.
“As UNU continues to build on its proud history, we remain united in our shared purpose: advancing solutions to the pressing challenges of our time. Let us look to the future with hope and determination, confident in our collective ability to make a difference.”
UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala further highlighted: “I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for their steadfast support of UNU over the past five decades. Japan’s generous support has been pivotal to the University’s success.
“I am proud of our achievements over the past year — successes that would not have been possible without the leadership and vision of our esteemed Council Members. To them, and to our many partners represented here tonight — embassies, institutions, and friends of UNU — we extend our heartfelt thanks. Your support has been vital to our mission, and it will remain so as we embark on the next chapter of UNU’s journey.”
