2022/7/29
Prof. Shen Xiaomeng, Vice-Rector of the United Nations University European Office and Director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), visited Japan to participate in the “Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies Between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development ,” held on July 20-21, 2022. Together with Director Shinobu Yamaguchi (UNU-IAS), Prof. Shen visited Ishikawa Prefecture for inspections.
During a three-day inspection starting from July 25, Prof. Shen visited research fields in the Noto region and Kanazawa City, meeting with local stakeholders.
In the Noto region, she primarily visited research fields recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), where she engaged with local livelihoods and cultural practices that utilize the benefits of satoyama (mountainous traditional rural village) and satoumi (traditional sea village). On the second day, she visited the diving club of Japan Aviation High School Ishikawa, where members introduced their activities to protect the satoumi. Upon learning that they collect marine debris and conduct research on pollution issues, Prof. Shen commented, “You are already doing the activities that the United Nations aims to promote. I encourage you to continue with confidence and share your work on international platforms.”
On the final day, after holding a meeting with members of OUIK in Kanazawa, Prof. Shen visited research fields related to sustainable urban nature led by OUIK’s researcher Juan, including Kenrokuen Garden, to observe efforts in green infrastructure and historical landscape conservation in Kanazawa.
