23 June 2025 — The United Nations University (UNU) is pleased to announce that Dr. Aya Suzuki has been appointed as the next UNU Senior Vice-Rector, effective 1 October 2025. In this post, Dr. Suzuki will hold the rank of Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Dr. Suzuki is a distinguished Japanese development economist whose main research interest is examining how developing countries can reduce poverty levels, with a particular focus on agricultural and industrial development.
She is a Professor in the Department of International Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo. She also serves as Special Advisor to the President of the University of Tokyo and as Deputy Director General of the Division of University Corporate Relations. In these leadership capacities, she has championed initiatives to promote social entrepreneurship, foster international collaboration and enhance support for students from the Global South.
Dr. Suzuki serves as an Auditor for the Japanese Association for Development Economics, an Editorial Board Member for the Asian Development Review, and an Honorary Professor in the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, the Division of Management, the University of Waikato (New Zealand). She was a Founding Board Member of the Japanese Association for Development Economics. Her previous positions include Associate/Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of International Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo; Assistant Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Japan); Visiting Scholar, School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, the Division of Management, the University of Waikato (New Zealand); Visiting Scholar at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Research Institute; and policy advisory work with the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development.
“Dr. Suzuki’s extensive experience in development economics and her significant leadership roles within the University of Tokyo make her an exceptional addition to UNU’s leadership team”, said UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala. “Her research experience aligns perfectly with UNU’s focus on addressing pressing global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals."
Dr. Suzuki has published extensively on topics related to agricultural marketing and development economics. She holds a PhD in Development and Agricultural Economics from the University of California, Davis (USA); a Master of International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Japan); and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Waseda University (Japan).
“I am deeply honoured and excited to join UNU and contribute to its vital mission”, said Dr. Suzuki. “I believe that my background and experience will enable me to further strengthen UNU’s impact in Japan and globally, supporting research and policy dialogue that addresses critical sustainable development issues.”
Dr. Suzuki will succeed Dr. Sawako Shirahase, who has served as UNU Senior Vice-Rector since 1 October 2021. “I am immensely grateful to Dr. Shirahase for her four years of dedicated service and her outstanding contributions as Senior Vice-Rector”, said UNU Rector Marwala. “Her leadership in enhancing UNU’s engagement and her profound insights have been invaluable to the University. We wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”
Journalists who would like more information, or who wish to request an interview with the new UNU Senior Vice-Rector may contact:
- Yukiko Nakahari, Japan Communications Specialist (y.nakahari+media@unu.edu; +81-3-5467-1275).
