ITTO Executive Director presents a keynote on the role of Universities in realizing inclusiveness and resilience in a global society at Soka University in Tokyo

The theme of the conference was "The Role of Universities in Realizing Inclusiveness and Resilience in a Global Society" and was attended by over 200 participants from various participating universities in the region.

The Executive Director’s presentation, "Sustainable tropical forestry for inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development" highlighted the important role of tropical forests for inclusiveness and resilience through many ITTO project examples, including on forest education, gender equality and empowerment, community projects, and the ITTO Fellowship Program. She also stressed that significant investment is required for tropical forests and that it is important to understand that harvesting from legal and sustainable sources is not deforestation. She highlighted the joint responsibility of all stakeholders in environmental conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and climate mitigation and adaptation where the youth of today will be the custodians of the future. She further highlighted the significant role of universities in educating the next generation on the important role of tropical forests in achieving global inclusiveness and resilience. 

At the end of her lecture, Dr. Masashi Suzuki, the president of Soka University, and Dr. Mohammad Nasih, the president of ASAIHL, presented her with a gift as a token of their appreciation for her attendance at the event.