Remarks by Yasushi Akashi in the KPC Council Meeting in 2025 (26/9/2025)

At the opening of the Council meeting, Honorary President Yasushi Akashi reflected on the more than five-year history of the Kyoto Peacebuilding Center. He emphasized that, despite increasing international complexity and growing uncertainty about the future of the United Nations, the importance and urgency of the Center’s activities are greater than ever, and he expressed strong hopes for its future development. He also expressed his pleasure at the attendance of Chairman Tokuyama and former Foreign Minister Kawaguchi, as well as at the forthcoming lecture by Councilor Sugimura, who has recently assumed the presidency of Sophia University. Please click here for the full text. (Reporter IMON Koki 26/9/2025)

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Full Text of Mr. Akashi’s Speech

As Dr. Hasegawa has already kindly introduced me, I would like to say a few words.It has already been more than five years since the Kyoto International Peacebuilding Center was founded in 2019. I feel that the Center has been steadily advancing each year, adding new elements to its activities and continuing to grow.

This year, it gives me great pleasure that we are able to hold this meeting here on the Kyoto Uryuyama Campus with the attendance of Chairman Tokuyama of Kyoto University of the Arts. I am also delighted that former Foreign Minister Kawaguchi is joining us for the first time today. Furthermore, I would like to express my heartfelt joy, as a fellow member, that Councilor Sugimura has assumed the position of President of Sophia University.

As I hardly need to tell you, the international situation is becoming increasingly complex and chaotic. In New York, the UN General Assembly has just begun, and President Trump’s speech has generated a variety of reactions. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, there is an undeniable sense of anxiety about the Organization’s future path. It may not necessarily be a hopeful trajectory. In that sense, this commemorative year brings with it a sense of foreboding. At the same time, it underscores the heightened importance and urgency of the work we are engaged in.

Although our time today is limited, I believe that listening to President Sugimura’s remarks and engaging in discussions with all of you will be meaningful for each participant and highly significant for considering the future activities of our Center. I sincerely hope that this meeting will be a fruitful one.