UNITAR
9 November 2023, Hiroshima, Japan – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office welcomes Ms. Chisa Mikami as the new head of the office, effective 8 November 2023. Ms Mikami has extensive experience working in developing countries through her career with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and brings to the Office her knowledge of the countries that the Hiroshima Office works with.
Ms Mikami will guide the global programmes led by the Hiroshima Office in areas such as Hiroshima and peace, social innovation and entrepreneurship, and leadership and inclusion, digital futures, finance and trade, and anti-corruption and combating crime while overseeing an expansion to emerging fields. She will also focus on enhancing partnerships with the Hiroshima community and outreach in Japan. In particular, Ms. Mikami seeks to continue the strong collaboration between the Hiroshima Office and the UNITAR Association, a Japanese non-government organization established to support UNITAR, in raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Japan.
Ms. Mikami looks forward to leading the UNITAR Hiroshima Office and contributing to new programmes and activities for the Office.
I am thrilled to take up the position of head of the UNITAR Hiroshima Office. Building on the Office’s 20 years of experience in Japan and Hiroshima, and in collaboration with diverse partners, I am committed to continue delivering our world-class learning and knowledge-sharing services to countries, institutions, and people around the world so they can shape a better future. I would like to reach those who we had not reached before, in the spirit of ‘leaving no one behind.’” ―Ms. Chisa Mikami, Head, UNITAR Hiroshima Office
The out-bound head of the Hiroshima Office Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto will remain as Director of the UNITAR Division for Prosperity in Geneva, which oversees the Hiroshima Office and the Trade and Finance Programme Unit.
Ms. Kumamoto will lead the Division as it expands its activities and roles and builds new partnerships with the public and private sectors and academia from around the world. Ms. Kumamoto became the head of the Hiroshima Office in 2014 and simultaneously held the position of Director of the Division for Prosperity since its establishment.
We are very excited to have Ms. Chisa Mikami lead the Hiroshima Office with her extensive experience in the United Nations system. I am confident Ms. Mikami will bring great changes to the organization as it expands its role in Japan and Hiroshima, as well as among countries in need.” —Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, Director, UNITAR Division for Prosperity, and former Head, UNITAR Hiroshima Office
As the UNITAR Hiroshima Office celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023, UNITAR is eager to work with Ms. Mikami to bring further positive momentum to the organization.
ABOUT MS. CHISA MIKAMI
Career
- 1994–1997 Financial Analyst for Citibank, N.A.
- 2000 Joined UNDP as a Junior Professional Officer (JPO)
- 2000–2004 UNDP Programme Officer on Environment and Energy and HIV/AIDS in Cuba
- 2004–2007 Public Affairs and Civil Society Liaison Officer in UNDP Tokyo Office
- 2007–2011 Deputy Country Director in UNDP Guatemala Office
- 2011–2015 Deputy Resident Representative in UNDP Guyana Office
- 2015–2018 Deputy Resident Representative in UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Office
- 2018–2019 Resident Representative, a.i., in UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Office
- 2019–2022 Deputy Resident Representative in UNDP Equatorial Guinea Office
Education
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo (Latin American Studies)
- School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University (International Affairs, focusing on Economic and Political Development)
PAST HEADS OF UNITAR HIROSHIMA OFFICE
- Nassrine Azimi (2003 (founded in July 2003)–2009)
- Alex Mejia (2009–2012)
- Brandon Turner (Officer-in-Charge)
- Mihoko Kumamoto (2014–November 2023)
ABOUT UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations. In 2022, UNITAR trained over 395,000 learners around the world to support their actions for a better future. In addition to our headquarters in Geneva, UNITAR has offices in Hiroshima, New York and Bonn and networks around the world.
One of the eight divisions of UNITAR, the Division for Prosperity / Hiroshima Office seeks to shape an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world. Our learning and knowledge-sharing services cover entrepreneurship, leadership, finance and trade, digital technologies, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We empower individuals from developing countries – especially women and young people – to address inequalities. Our alumni are making a difference in least developed countries, countries emerging from conflict, and small-island developing states.