On 3 March 2025, the United Nations University and Ritsumeikan University signed a new agreement of cooperation focused on strengthening internationalization of higher education through collaborative research, events and related activities.
The new agreement aligns the strengths of each university to develop joint activities ranging from research projects, research workshops and conferences, to cultural activities and public events.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala remarked: "Last year, UNU launched a new organizational strategy, which focuses on three pillars: knowledge, partnerships and impact. UNU is a global think tank and educational institution, and our priority is generating knowledge that will positively impact and transform the world. However, we cannot do this alone. If we are to succeed in achieving our goals, we need strong, reliable partners. I am therefore pleased that UNU is forming a partnership with Ritsumeikan University, a visionary institution that embodies academic excellence."
Ritsumeikan University President Yoshio Nakatani further emphasized: "We are honoured to have laid the foundation for deepening our collaboration with this world-class research university. With this agreement, we will further promote collaborative research and human resource cultivation related to global issues such as the SDGs and peacebuilding by leveraging our respective strengths in cooperation with United Nations University."