A number of substantive discussions were held with UNITAR's counterparts, including the Governor, the Mayor and President of Hiroshima University. The discussions covered, inter alia, the launch of a fund-mobilisation phase for two new initiatives -- on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and on architectural and urban reconstruction; the expansion of current environmental training initiatives of the office with additional themes, including training on the implementation of international environmental treaties as well as countermeasures for chemical substances and environmental pollution; the strengthening of cooperation with academic partners notably Hiroshima University and the establishment of academic accreditation for UNITAR programmes; the development of on-line courses to disseminate accumulated experience and knowledge, notably for and by the UNITAR Alumni community.

At the invitation of the Hiroshima Prefecture the Executive Director was able to visit the historical Shukkeien Garden. He also had a dialogue with a hibakusha (Atomic bomb survivor), after which he laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Cenotaph, accompanied by representatives of Hiroshima City.

Dr. Lopes also addressed local citizens at the UNITAR Hiroshima Office in a Roundtable entitled "Power of diversity to create peace in a knowledge-based society." This roundtable, the first in a planned series on diversity to take place at UNITAR Hiroshima throughout 2009, was delivered to a full house and is summarised here.