日本語
 

On February 4, 2026, the 5th University Presidents for Peace Conference – Arab Chapter was held at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima. Hosted by Hiroshima University, this conference brought together university leaders to discuss the role of higher education in promoting peace and sustainability, and to strengthen international collaboration.

The University Presidents for Peace Conference has been held since August 6, 2024, convening presidents from 27 universities across 21 countries and regions to promote dialogue. For this 5th conference, in cooperation with the Association of Arab Universities (AArU), more than 30 presidents and representatives from 6 countries and 8 Arab universities and institutions participated. A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for Middle East Peace) also attended as an honored guest.

In the opening address, Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, emphasized the importance of higher education institutions in training future leaders, advancing research, and applying knowledge to society. He stated that Hiroshima University, located in the city of Hiroshima—a symbol of peace—wishes to deepen cooperation with universities in the Arab region to pursue peace and sustainable development together.
 

Following the opening, H.E. Mr. Tsukasa Uemura the Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for the Middle East Peace from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan spoke about the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Arab region and Japan, and expressed strong expectations for building university networks in the future.

After the guest’s remarks, Hiroshima University and the Association of Arab Universities signed Japan’s first partnership agreement of its kind. The signing formalized mutual agreement to further advance strategic university collaborations between Hiroshima University and Arab universities.

During the conference, participating university presidents introduced the unique features of their respective campuses and shared their peace-related and sustainability initiatives. They engaged in active discussions on expanding future collaboration between Arab institutions and Hiroshima University.

Toward the conclusion of the forum, President Mitsuo Ochi of Hiroshima University took the floor to read aloud the “Declaration of the University Presidents for Peace – Arab Chapter.” With a calm yet firm tone, he articulated the shared commitment of the participating universities to fostering peace through education, research, and international collaboration.

In the afternoon, participants visited Hiroshima University’s Higashi‑Hiroshima Campus and Kasumi Campus. At the Higashi‑Hiroshima Campus, they toured the Amphibian Research Center. At the Kasumi Campus, they viewed advanced facilities such as the da Vinci surgical support robot and the Sports Medical Science Center.

Hiroshima University reaffirmed its commitment to providing international dialogue and collaboration opportunities through the University Presidents for Peace Conference and to continue contributing to global peace and sustainability through education and research in partnership with universities around the world.

• Hiroshima University
• Association of Arab Universities (Jordan)
• Abu Dhabi University (UAE)
• University of Anbar (Iraq)
• Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (Qatar)
• University of Jordan (Jordan)
• University of Tunis El Manar (Tunisia)
• University of Baghdad (Iraq)

• 4th University Presidents for Peace Conference (February 4, 2026)
• The 3rd University Presidents for Peace Conference (Mar 21, 2025)
• University Presidents for Peace Conference - Africa Chapter (Nov 25, 2024)
• University Presidents for Peace Conference 2024 (Aug 6, 2024)