From Japan to the world-scientific innovation and collaboration aimed at solving global challenges will take center stage at the Science Summit, held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly from September 9 to 26, 2025.
This international summit highlights the critical role of science in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Agenda 2030, emphasizing the power of global scientific cooperation.
In response to a call from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), eight Japanese institutions will present six official programs at the summit. These sessions will feature a diverse range of speakers-from PhD students and university presidents to medical professionals, scientists, and engineers-addressing topics such as food and water security, rare and common diseases, inclusive education, and research ethics.
All Japan-led programs will be available online, making them accessible to a global audience. Participation is free of charge, with advance registration required. For details and registration links, please refer to each program's page.
Programs
1. Saving the Earth through Science and Technology - A Case Study of Innovative Technology at Shinshu University in Japan
Time and Date: September 16, 2025 | 16:00-17:30 JST / 07:00-08:30 UTC
(Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation available)
Organizer: Institute for Aqua Regeneration, Shinshu University
Speakers:
- Soichiro Nakamura, President, Shinshu University
- Katsuya Teshima, Distinguished Professor and Director, Institute for Aqua Regeneration, Shinshu University
- Kazunari Domen, Distinguished Honorary Professor, Institute for Aqua Regeneration, Shinshu University
- Adam O. Karia, Rector and CEO, Water Institute, Ministry of Water, Tanzania
- Yoko Kamimura, Chief Interpreneur Engagement Officer, SUNDRED Co.
Program Details & Registration: https://forms.gle/QkbNyG2ZLqevTSgKA
2. Decolonizing Science: Ethical Reflections on Sample Return Missions
Time & Date: September 17, 2025 | 18:00 JST / 09:00 UTC
Organizer: Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo
Speakers:
- Erik Persson, Lund University (Sweden)
- Frank Tavares, Columbia University (USA)
- Silvio Sinibaldi, European Space Agency (Netherlands/UK)
- Athena Coustenis, COSPAR (France)
- Lantao Zhang, China Academy of Space Technology (China)
- Kosuke Kurosawa, Chiba Institute of Technology (Japan)
- Thilina Heenatigala, ELSI, Insitute of Science Tokyo (Japan)
3. Building Inclusive, Interactive, and International Pathways in Science - A Guided Visual Tour
Time & Date: September 18, 2025 | 16:00-16:30 JST / 07:00-07:30 UTC
Organizer: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
Speakers:
- Karin Markides, President & CEO, OIST
- Paola Laurino, Associate Professor, OIST
- Erika Fukuhara, PhD Student, OIST
- Karolina Honzejkova, JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, OIST
- Jonathan Ray, VP of Communication and Public Relations, OIST
Program Details & Registration https://event.sciencesummitnyc.org/list-of-sessions/detail/290
4. Food-Water-Environment Nexus Scenarios for a Resilient and Equitable 22nd Century - Advancing Sustainability through Transdisciplinary Science-Industry Collaboration
Time & Date: September 18, 2025 | 16:00-18:00 JST / 07:00-09:00 UTC
Organizer: Sustainable Society Design Center, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Speakers:
- Yasuko Kameyama, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
- Marcin Jarzebski, Project Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
- Giles B. Sioen, Project Lecturer, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
- Droz Layna, Project Assistant Professor, The University of Tokyo (Japan)
- HyeJin Kim, Senior Scenario Developer, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UK)
- Kiyoshi Takahashi, Deputy Director, Social Systems Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies (Japan)
- Andrianto Ansari, Assistant Professor, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)
- Jack Lodge, Engineer, Arup (Australia)
- Laura Pereira, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) / Stockholm University (Sweden)
- Usharani Govindarajan, Associate Professor, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (China)
- Hiroshi Kishino, Deputy Manager, Industry Academia Collaboration Creation Office, Kubota Corporation (Japan)
Program Details & Registration: https://event.sciencesummitnyc.org/list-of-sessions/detail/180
5. Valuism: A Blueprint for the Post-SDGs Era
Time & Date: September 22, 2025 | 16:00-18:00 JST / 07:00-09:00 UTC
Organizers: Value Research Center, Doshisha University / Valuufy
Speakers:
- Philip Sugai, Director, Value Research Center, Doshisha University (Japan)
- Kyle Barnes, CEO, Valuufy (Japan)
- Youqing Fan, Western Sydney University (Australia)
- Maria Weir, AREOPA Group (Scotland)
- Valerie Daldrup, MiraiSphere Initiative (Germany)
- Yuriko Nakao, Kansai University (Japan)
- Haruko Satoh, Osaka University (Japan) (Moderator)
Program Details & Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KWC1_zgaSwCBhVBBuFRQIw
6. Diversity in Healthcare and Science: Advancing Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)
Time & Date: September 23, 2025 | 09:00-11:30 JST / 00:00-02:30 UTC
Venue (hybrid): Kitasato Hall, Keio University Hospital, Tokyo + Online (Simultaneous English interpretation available)
Organizers: Keio University Hospital Allergy Center / NPO Cheiron Initiative
Speakers:
- Takeya Adachi, President of NPO Cheiron Initiative; Vice Director of Keio University Hospital Allergy Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine (Japan)
- Keiko Katsui, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
- Takahiko Iwaya, President & Representative Director, Sanofi Japan, Chairman of EFPIA Japan
- Yukiko Nishimura, President of NPO ASrid (Japan)
- Hiroyuki Shibasaki, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry & Japan Muscular Dystrophy Association (Japan)
- Haruka Sakamoto, Health and Global Policy Institute & WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (Japan)
- Ho Namkoong, Keio University School of Medicine (Japan)
Program Details & Registration:https://www.cheiron.jp/post/ssunga80
