[日本語版 Announcement in Japanese]

On September 18, 2025, at the Qatar Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, the University of Tokyo, together with the Qatar Foundation’s global health policy center, the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance research and advocacy in the field of global health.

The signing ceremony was attended by Koki Shigenoi,  Associated Researcher at RCAST and ROLES Assosciate Member, which has been leading the planning and coordination of this initiative. In the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jaber Jarallah Al-Marri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Japan, the MoU was signed by Professor Hidenori Watanave (Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies) and Dr. Slim Slama, CEO of WISH.

The MOU is built on three main pillars: evidence-informed policymaking, stakeholder engagement, and the dissemination of research findings. It aims to address a wide range of issues including health security, climate change, global health diplomacy, and well-being. In particular, it will focus on health challenges in conflict-affected countries and the Middle East and North Africa region, positioning the partnership as a hub for international research and social implementation.

Professor Watanave emphasized, “By combining the expertise of the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies in documenting and archiving the impacts of war and disaster, with the strengths of our Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and Faculty of Medicine, we can generate outcomes that contribute to human health and well-being.”

Dr. Slama stated, “Building on over 30 years of excellence and innovation cultivated by Qatar Foundation, this collaboration with the University of Tokyo will open new pathways to impact the world.”

At ROLES, in cooperation with Professor Watanave’s laboratory at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (III), Professor Satoshi Ikeuchi and Associate Professor Yu Koizumi co-lead the research group “Advanced Science, Technology and Security.” In addition, preparations are underway for joint research with Qatar Foundation’s WISH on the theme of “Health Communication,” focusing on the cognitive domain and disinformation in conflict settings.

Media Coverage
Qatar Embassy in Tokyo, "Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Japan participates in the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) | Qatar Foundation and the University of Tokyo."
Qatar News Agency, "QF's WISH and University of Tokyo Sign Landmark Agreement at Osaka Expo."
Gulf Times, "WISH, University of Tokyo sign agreement to advance global health policy."
The Peninsula, "QF’s WISH and University of Tokyo sign agreement to advance global health policy at Osaka Expo."
Qatar Day, "QF's WISH and University of Tokyo Sign Landmark Agreement at Osaka Expo."
Kyodo News (in Japanese) https://news.jp/i/1341357817296650645?c=39550187727945729
The Sankei Shinbun (in Japanese) https://www.sankei.com/article/20250918-PUX52EOSPVMD3DJYH7DISV277I/
The University of Tokyo III/GSII, "The University of Tokyo and Qatar Foundation Sign Comprehensive MOU in Global Health."
Koki Shigenoi, "Building Bridges for Global Health: The WISH–University of Tokyo Partnership," Qatar Foundation World Innovation Summit for Health.