EXPO2025 Theme Weeks

Programme details

10:30-11:00 Keynote Speech "The significance, challenges and future prospects of the SDGs”
・Norichika Kanie, Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University
Professor Kanie will speak about the significance of the SDGs in developing countries and the role of development assistance in today's global context.

11:00-12:20 Discussion "Translating Global Goals into National and Local Actions"
・Haruko Kamei, Director General, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development
・Kei Endo, Senior Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development
・Masako Izukawa, Deputy Director, Advanced City Promotion Division, Policy Planning Department, Toyota City
・3 JICA Scholars from Laos, Uganda and Mozambique
This discussion will explore the current status, challenges, and future directions of SDGs initiatives and its measurement across various countries and regions, focusing on cases from a Japanese local government and developing countries.

12:20-12:30 Closing Remarks "Toward realizing a society where people's lives, livelihoods and dignity are protected"
・Yoichi Mine, Executive Director, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development
Based on the discussion, he wll deliver a message regarding the achievement of the SDGs and the realization of human security.

Cast

Moderator

Haruko KAMEI

Director General, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development

She has built a distinguished career at JICA since joining in 1998, holding various significant positions. Her roles have included Director General of the Human Development Department, Chief Representative of the JICA Cambodia Office, and Deputy Director General of the Governance and Peace Building Department, where she was responsible for the Office of Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction. In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Kamei is an accomplished author. Her book, "Mirai wo Hiraku Michi (A Road to the Future)", which explores the history of Japan’s ODA projects to Nepal, was honored with the JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers) Book of the Year award in 2019.

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Speakers

Norichika KANIE

Professor at Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University

He is also a representative of xSDG Laboratory, Keio Research Institute at SFC. His research focuses on International Relations, Sustainability Science and Earth System Governance. He has participated in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the common goals adopted by United Nations, from the conception stage. He is a leading authority on the SDGs, and is striving to balance research and practice. He was one of the 15 Independent Group of Scientists appointed by the UN Secretary General to write the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023.

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Yoichi MINE

Executive Director, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development

While serving for JICA Ogata Research Institute, he has also worked for Osaka University and Doshisha University and is currently Visiting Professor, Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University, and Extraordinary Professor, the Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He advocates the idea of human security worldwide and write extensively about global issues, modern global history, SDGs, and international relations. His publications include: Connecting Africa and Asia: Afrasia as a Benign Community (Routledge) and An Oral History of Development Cooperation: Japan as a Global Bridging Agent (Springer, forthcoming). He has also translated books on the philosophy of dignity, African women’s literature, and development economics into Japanese.

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Kei ENDO

Senior Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development

After working in the South Asia Department (in charge of India) of JICA, the JICA Indonesia Office, and other departments, he is currently engaged in research on SDGs, sustainable development, and public-private partnerships at the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development. He aims to contribute both practically and academically to the sustainable development of countries all over the world, including developing countries, and Japan.

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Masako IZUKAWA

Deputy Director, Advanced City Promotion Division, Policy Planning Department, Toyota City

She is currently the Deputy Director of SDGs planning and international affairs of the Advanced City Promotion Division of Policy Planning Department at Toyota City Hall.
In her role, she manages the promotion of the SDGs Future City Plan and SDGs monitoring and evaluation in Toyota City.
She has also worked on local SDGs project in collaboration with international organizations and local governments overseas. Especially this fiscal year, she leads the secretariat of the 2025 International Mayors Forum, which Toyota City will co-organize with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs from 14 to 16 of October, 2025 in Toyota city.
She began her career as a public servant in the City of Toyota in 2004. After over 10 years of experience as an official of Toyota City Government, she had been on a secondment to the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) as a researcher from April 2020 to March 2024.

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Monephaeng THETSISOULATH

JICA Scholar from Laos

She is a JICA scholar from Laos, currently studying in Kansai, Japan. In her home country, she served as a technical officer at the Ministry of Finance. She was responsible for state budget planning, monitoring budget execution, and contributing to the development of public finance policies. She also worked in debt management and supported the drafting of legal and regulatory frameworks related to financial governance.
Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Global Studies at Doshisha University, focusing on competency-based human resource development (HRD) and its impact on the performance of public financial management systems in Laos. Her research aims to explore how building public servant capacity can strengthen financial governance, institutional performance, and resilience; particularly in advancing SDGs such as disaster preparedness (SDG 11.b) and effective institutions (SDG 16).
Her academic and professional efforts are committed to building stronger, more transparent, and responsive public institutions in Laos.

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Richard SSEMPALA

JICA Scholar from Uganda

He is a trained economist with a focus on health economics, public finance, macro economics and econometrics. His PhD research is on the taxation of unhealthy commodities as a feasible way of reducing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs); generating more revenues for the government as well as contributing to the broader Sustainable Development Goal 3.
He strives to be "An Element of Change" in his community, country and the world at large using his expertise and strategic networks.

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Denilson JOSÉ

JICA Scholar from Mozambique

JICA scholar from Mozambique, currently studying in Kansai, Japan. In Mozambique, as the Founder and Executive Director of One Click Mozambique, his main focus was Business Development, driving the overall strategic direction and growth of the company. In this capacity, he was responsible for operational management, financial health, ensuring the delivery of high-quality marketing and communication services, and maintaining a positive and productive work environment. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Global Studies at Doshisha University.
Denilson's Master's research at Doshisha University is dedicated to understanding inclusive finance in developing economies, specifically investigating the limitations of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in effectively serving informal and street vendors in urban centers like Maputo. His work critically examines how MFI models may systematically exclude this vital economic segment, drawing on theoretical frameworks including asymmetric information, transaction cost economics, institutional theory, and social capital theory. Through this research, he aims to identify strategies that enhance financial resilience, contribute to poverty reduction for marginalized entrepreneurs, and bridge the gap between formal financial systems and the vibrant Mozambican informal economy.

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SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week

Shaping the Future with JICA: The SDGs, Dynamic Realities of Developing Countries, and Our Path Forward

The year 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the United Nations' adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the past decade, the circumstances facing developing countries have changed significantly. With less than six years remaining until the target year 2030 for achieving the SDGs, it is crucial to consider what we must focus on to ensure that we can work together toward a sustainable global society. We look forward to a meaningful and engaging discussion with the participants on these vital issues!

This event is hosted by the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development.

※The venue opening time is scheduled to change from 9:30 to 10:00, and the event starting time from 10:00 to 10:30.

  • 2025.10.05[Sun]

    10:0012:00

    (Venue Open 09:30)

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This programme is scheduled to be live streamed at the Virtual Expo. We will inform you once it is confirmed.

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SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week

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