Global Commons Forum held
On October 8, 2024, the Global Commons Forum was held in hybrid format, with participation online and at the Marunouchi Building Hall. The event was co-hosted by The University of Tokyo and Riken and co-sponsored by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. There was a total of 698 attendees (on-site: 168 attendees; online: 530 attendees).
On the day of the forum, President of RIKEN, Dr. Makoto Gonokami gave the opening remarks, followed by a keynote session by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Director, Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström. He introduced the Planetary Health Check, an initiative which began in September 2024 to provide, on an annual basis, the latest data on planetary health. He spoke of the necessity for immediate, large-scale change of the current economic system. He was then joined by Dr. Naoko Ishii, Special Presidential Envoy for Global Commons and Director of the Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo, for a discussion about the role of science, particularly “planetary boundaries” in warning humanity of the dangers that we face. The discussion covered possibilities for overcoming these dangers, the steps necessary for restoring the Earth’s safety, in addition to the necessary mechanisms for governance of the global commons.
Keynote Speech
In the panel discussions that followed, both international and domestic panelists were invited for discussions on four main themes: “Governing Global Commons”, “Nature Positive Economy and Finance”, “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality” and “System Transformation and Resilience”.
Session “Governing Global Commons”
Session “Nature Positive Economy and Finance”
Session “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality”
Session “System Transformation and Resilience”
The forum closed with a reflection on the forum as a whole in a discussion format between the University of Tokyo President, Dr. Teruo Fujii and two students from the University of Tokyo, representing the next generation that will inherit the future global commons.
Closing
After the closing, the day ended on a high note, with a discussion held as an affiliated session conducted virtually with “The Global Nature Positive Summit”, held in Australia on the same day.
On the day of the forum, President of RIKEN, Dr. Makoto Gonokami gave the opening remarks, followed by a keynote session by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Director, Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström. He introduced the Planetary Health Check, an initiative which began in September 2024 to provide, on an annual basis, the latest data on planetary health. He spoke of the necessity for immediate, large-scale change of the current economic system. He was then joined by Dr. Naoko Ishii, Special Presidential Envoy for Global Commons and Director of the Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo, for a discussion about the role of science, particularly “planetary boundaries” in warning humanity of the dangers that we face. The discussion covered possibilities for overcoming these dangers, the steps necessary for restoring the Earth’s safety, in addition to the necessary mechanisms for governance of the global commons.
Keynote Speech
In the panel discussions that followed, both international and domestic panelists were invited for discussions on four main themes: “Governing Global Commons”, “Nature Positive Economy and Finance”, “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality” and “System Transformation and Resilience”.
Session “Governing Global Commons”
Session “Nature Positive Economy and Finance”
Session “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality”
Session “System Transformation and Resilience”
The forum closed with a reflection on the forum as a whole in a discussion format between the University of Tokyo President, Dr. Teruo Fujii and two students from the University of Tokyo, representing the next generation that will inherit the future global commons.
Closing
After the closing, the day ended on a high note, with a discussion held as an affiliated session conducted virtually with “The Global Nature Positive Summit”, held in Australia on the same day.
