Date: July 7–8, 2025
Organizer: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Location: Hiroshima International Conference Center, Hiroshima, Japan
Event: Hiroshima Residential Programme “Leading the Future with Sustainable Solutions”
Participants: 70 mid- to senior-level industry officials from aSSIST University (South Korea), Master’s in AI and Business Management
Presenter: Elham Saberi (Education and Research Coordinator), Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University
We are pleased to share that the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), based at Hiroshima University, was invited to contribute to the UNITAR Residential Workshop “Leading the Future with Sustainable Solutions” held on July 7–8, 2025, at the Hiroshima International Conference Center. This workshop was organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) as part of its Division for Prosperity initiatives, bringing together 70 mid- to senior-level industry officials from aSSIST University (South Korea). The participants were master’s in AI and Business Management, joined this intensive programme as a core component of their academic and professional development.
NERPS was represented by Elham Saberi, Education and Research Promotion Officer, who delivered two interactive sessions under the theme of “Strategic Integration of the SDGs in Business.” These sessions drew extensively from the NERPS SDGs Report and Hiroshima University’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The presentations focused on sharing real-world examples of how Hiroshima University integrates the SDGs into its research, education, and community engagement activities, with particular attention to business innovation, sustainability practices, and academic leadership.
These sessions showcased Hiroshima University’s remarkable achievements in sustainability, particularly its recognition in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, where it was ranked consistently among the top 3 universities in Japan and achieved top 100 global positions in several SDG categories, including:
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The discussions were enriched with case studies extracted from the NERPS SDGs Report, including the development of hydrogen-based energy systems through industry-academia-government collaboration, the Smart City initiative in partnership with Higashi-Hiroshima and Kure City, and the Carbon-Neutral x Smart Campus 5.0 Declaration aimed at achieving environmental sustainability on campus. Additional case studies included efforts to promote gender equality in research and leadership, innovative practices in the sustainable fashion industry in Fukuyama, and international joint research partnerships with organizations such as JICA, JST, and the SATREPS program.
Participants engaged actively in discussions around how businesses can strategically align with the SDGs, reflecting on the integration of sustainability within business models, especially in the context of AI-driven solutions. The sessions also encouraged reflections on how academic institutions like Hiroshima University can lead in sustainable development through innovation, partnerships, and community-focused research.
NERPS materials were distributed during the sessions to raise awareness of the network’s ongoing work, including its flagship initiatives like the Peace and Sustainability journal and the upcoming NERPS 2026 Conference. The participation in this UNITAR event not only highlighted NERPS’s contributions but also expanded the network’s visibility among international participants and future leaders from South Korea’s business and technology sectors.
The broader UNITAR Residential Programme itself reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering prosperity through capacity-building in areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, trade and finance, frontier technologies, anti-corruption, and peacebuilding. These thematic areas are closely aligned with various SDGs, reinforcing the mission to equip professionals from diverse backgrounds, including the private sector, civil society, academia, and government, with the tools needed to drive sustainable solutions in their respective fields.
NERPS is proud to have represented Hiroshima University at this important forum, reaffirming our commitment to connecting peace, sustainability, and innovation on a global stage. A detailed report and photos from the sessions will be shared across our social media platforms, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with UNITAR and other global partners in advancing the SDGs.
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