- Launch of Prosperity Alliance California (PA California) — jointly established by UNITAR, Pacific Civic Exchange, and the US Exchange Promotion Society on 18 August 2025 at UC Berkeley.
- Dialogue on Women’s Leadership among Mihoko Kumamoto, Ren Pelosi, and Fan Dai, exploring future collaboration in women’s empowerment and leadership capacity building.
- Thematic Dinner “Innovating for Inclusive Prosperity: Building Sustainable Growth in an Era of Global Shifts” brought together philanthropic leaders to discuss cooperation in green prosperity, sustainable economy, and education-driven capacity development.
18 August 2025, Berkeley, California, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), together with the Pacific Civic Exchange and the US Exchange Promotion Society, officially launched the Prosperity Alliance California (PACA) at the University of California, Berkeley. The new regional hub marks a significant milestone in expanding the Prosperity Alliance network across the United States, strengthening UNITAR’s mission to advance global capacity building and sustainable prosperity.
Inauguration Ceremony at UC Berkeley
UNITAR
The unveiling ceremony of the Prosperity Alliance California was held at the University of California, Berkeley, in the presence of distinguished guests and institutional partners. Mr. Michael Zu, Executive Director of the US Exchange Promotion Society, Ms. Fan Dai, Chair, Prosperity Alliance California; Founder & Executive Director, Pacific Civic Exchange and Ms. Meng Fei, Member of the International Advisory Board of the Prosperity Alliance, jointly officiated the launch.
In his remarks, Mr. Zu highlighted the shared vision between UNITAR, Prosperity Alliance California and its U.S. partners in promoting sustainable growth through education, innovation, and international collaboration. The establishment of PACA aims to create a platform connecting universities, enterprises, and non-profit organizations across the Pacific to foster responsible leadership and inclusive and sustainable economic development.
..we envision the Prosperity Alliance California growing into: (1) A hub for innovation and capacity building, a place where training in AI, sustainable business, and inclusive leadership can equip people from all walks of life to create solutions that are both forward-looking and socially responsible; (2) A platform for collaboration, a space that brings together universities, private sector leaders, policymakers, and civil society to co-create ideas and transform them into tangible action for sustainable development; and (3) A gateway for global exchange, an open channel for sharing California’s best practices with the world, while also bringing global expertise and fresh perspectives back to enrich local communities." - Michael Zu, Executive Director, Prosperity Alliance California
Dialogue on Women’s Leadership with Ms. Ren Pelosi
UNITAR
Following the ceremony, Ms. Fan Dai, Chair, Prosperity Alliance California; Founder & Executive Director, Pacific Civic Exchange and Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, Director of the UNITAR Division for Prosperity, engaged in a high-level discussion with Ms. Ren Pelosi on future collaboration in the field of women’s leadership.
The dialogue explored joint initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs, strengthen female participation in sustainable business, and enhance leadership training programmes under UNITAR’s global women’s empowerment framework.
Ms. Kumamoto emphasized UNITAR’s continued commitment to supporting gender equality and leadership capacity building, noting that
..true prosperity begins when women are equally empowered to lead change in their communities.” - Mihoko Kumamoto, Director, Division for Prosperity, UNITAR
Thematic Dinner: “Innovating for Inclusive Prosperity — Building Sustainable Growth in an Era of Global Shifts”
In the evening, a thematic dinner was held under the theme “Innovating for Inclusive Prosperity: Building Sustainable Growth in an Era of Global Shifts.” The event gathered leaders from California’s philanthropic, innovation, and academic communities.
During the dinner, Ms. Fan Dai introduced the mission and objectives of Pacific Civic Exchange and the Prosperity Alliance California, highlighting the Alliance’s vision to serve as a collaborative bridge between the United Nations and regional partners. Discussions centered on advancing green and sustainable prosperity through education, entrepreneurship, and capacity development.
We at UNITAR Prosperity Alliance California believe that sustainable development becomes tangible when people—especially emerging leaders—are equipped to act.” - Fan Dai, Chair, Prosperity Alliance California; Founder & Executive Director, Pacific Civic Exchange
Participants expressed their strong support for UNITAR and the Prosperity Alliance’s efforts, pledging to explore future partnerships in sustainable innovation, environmental education, and social impact initiatives.
About Pacific Civic Exchange
Pacific Civic Exchange (PCE) is a non-profit organization that bridges divides and catalyzes collaboration across the Pacific Region. Through high-level delegation visits, strategic dialogues, and impactful events, PCE forges lasting relationships among leaders, communities, and institutions that drive real change. Its initiatives transform mutual understanding into coordinated action, tackling shared challenges such as economic development, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. PCE's mission is to turn fragmented efforts into powerful regional collaboration, building a more interconnected Pacific where shared purpose and understanding fuel sustainable prosperity for all.
About Prosperity Alliance California
Prosperity Alliance California (hereinafter referred to as PACA) is the United States hub of UNITAR’s global Prosperity Alliance network, connecting regional centers in Frankfurt, Beijing, Shenzhen, and beyond. Anchored in the Bay Area’s vibrant ecosystem of innovation and academic excellence, PACA serves as a bridge between the United Nations and global partners across academia, industry, and civil society, advancing shared goals in sustainable and inclusive prosperity.
Its focus areas include Green and Renewable Technologies, Entrepreneurship and Capacity Building, Women’s Leadership and Empowerment, Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth, and Global Learning and Knowledge Exchange.
Through these initiatives, Prosperity Alliance California seeks to foster a new generation of global leaders who can shape resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies in an era of global transformation.
About UNITAR
United Nations Institute for Training and Research is an autonomous body within the United Nations that was established in 1965 pursuant to a UN General Assembly resolution, with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the UN through appropriate training and research. UNITAR’s mission is to bridge gaps in knowledge and skills through impactful training, research and innovative learning solutions.