UNU Vice-Rector Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi’s opening remarks kicked off a three-day international conference on sustainability science (ICSS-2009) held from February 5 to 7 at the University of Tokyo. The conference focused on broad topics critical to the promotion of sustainability science, including climate change, food and water, and sustainability education.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Hiroshi Komiyama, President of the University of Tokyo, emphasized the structuring of actions towards a sustainable society.

UNU Vice-Rector Prof. Govindan Parayil delivered a keynote speech in which he examined innovation in science and technology, emphasizing the importance of directing efforts towards finding solutions to the pressing problems of poverty and climate change.

The concept of sustainability is key to any discussion of science, technology, and economics of the 21st century. The new transdisciplinary discipline of sustainability science will play a fundamental role in addressing critical global issues and developing visions that can lead to a sustainable global society.

The conference was organized by the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), the University of Tokyo and co-organized by IR3S-United Nations University (UNU) Sustainability Joint Initiative.