Biocultural Diversity Seminar was held on Sep. 6, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:45 both face to face and on-line (hybrid) at Miyawaki Memorial Room of Environment and Information Sciences Bldg. 4. First, President Izuru Umehara gave an opening address in English, during which he welcomed Dr. Miguel Clüsener-Godt to Japan again.

Next, UNESCO Chair Representative Hiroyuki Matsuda gave a 30-minute lecture entitled “Tokiwa Forest as a pilot site for biocultural diversity”, and talked about the history and present of Tokiwa Forest as a nature symbiotic campus of Yokohama National University as well as the activities of multiple faculty members and students.

Dr. Miguel Clüsener-Godt then gave a one-hour lecture entitled “The role of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.” Dr. Miguel Clüsener-Godt was a professor at Yokohama National University (YNU) until one and a half years ago after his long-term work at UNESCO, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by YNU. He is currently a professor at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Afterwards, there was a Q&A session, with questions from outside researchers such as those from the University of Tsukuba, as well as questions from students participating online, resulting in a meaningful discussion. Finally, Vice President Motonari Tanabu (in charge of international affairs) gave closing remarks in English, and the seminar ended in a peaceful atmosphere.