- On 22 April 2025, UNITAR participated in the League of Tropical Universities 2025 Summit at Hainan University in China.
- During the summit, UNITAR signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Tropical Universities Secretariat to promote academic collaboration and skills development.
- UNITAR also joined a panel discussion to speak of its capacity-building initiatives for young innovators and changemakers.
- The partnership hopes to create opportunities for youth training, academic exchanges, and entrepreneurship programmes to support economic development in tropical regions.
UNITAR
7 May 2025, Hainan, China – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) underscored the critical role of youth empowerment and global partnerships in advancing sustainable development at Hainan University for the League of Tropical Universities 2025 Summit (14-15 April 2025). The engagement at Hainan University highlighted UNITAR’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and international cooperation across tropical regions.
Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, UNITAR Division for Prosperity Director, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the transformative power of youth in addressing global challenges. Her remarks highlighted the need for educational systems to equip young leaders with skills in economic development, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in tropical regions.
Investing in youth development and international exchange is not just for the future – it is to support SDGs realization for today and shape a better world. – Mihoko Kumamoto, Director, UNITAR Division for Prosperity
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding
At the event, UNITAR signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Tropical Universities Secretariat, formalizing a partnership to unlock opportunities for academic collaboration, skills development and innovation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The two entities hope to collaborate in offering youth development training, study visits, joint events, youth-led entrepreneurship programmes and platforms for international knowledge exchange.
UNITAR
UNITAR
Panel Discussion on Prospects for Future Cooperation
UNITAR
A panel discussion introduced members of the League and explored prospects for future cooperation. Guest speakers came from India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Thailand, and other League representatives joined from around the world. As a speaker, UNITAR detailed its capacity-building initiatives, such as immersive training on SDG leadership, cross-border mentorship programmes, global study visit programmes and forums connecting young innovators with changemakers.
By fostering global citizenship and equipping youth with tools to tackle inequality and climate change, we are nurturing a generation capable of driving systemic transformation. —Ms. Lu Meng, Programme Coordinator, UNITAR Division for Prosperity
Future Steps for the New Partnership
The new partnership with the League of Tropical Universities will focus on advancing economic development through tailored training programmes, global partnership initiatives and joint academic exchange.
Priorities include expanding technical and vocational training to enhance workforce readiness, organizing study visits and cross-border exchange programmes to strengthen intercultural collaboration, and promoting academic-industry partnerships to address regional economic challenges. Joint projects such as an innovation challenge for youth-led entrepreneurial solutions and a symposium on tropical economic resilience will drive knowledge-sharing and institutional cooperation.
These efforts aim to position League member universities as centres of excellence in economic development education, equipping students and professionals with skills to navigate global markets and contribute to inclusive growth.
About the League of Tropical Universities
League of Tropical Universities is a non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to building open, inclusive and innovative multilateral platforms for international cooperation and exchanges. The League brings together universities and research institutions on a voluntary basis, with a common commitment to advancing higher education and socioeconomic development in tropical regions.
ABOUT UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations. In 2024, UNITAR trained over 550,000 learners around the world to support their actions for a better future. UNITAR has a global presence, with offices in Geneva, Hiroshima, New York and Bonn and networks around the world. Find out more at www.unitar.org