During her visit to Sabah Al-Salem University City, the Governor of Tokyo, Ms. Yuriko Koike, delivered a lecture at Kuwait University on the topic of environmental protection and the challenges of climate change. The event was attended by the President of Kuwait University, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, along with several university leaders, faculty members, and students, at Sabah Al-Salem University City.

At the beginning of the event, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs - Academic Development, Prof. Huda Mahmoud, welcomed Governor Koike and her accompanying delegation, emphasizing that the visit reflects Kuwait University’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of scientific research and innovation, particularly in environmental and developmental issues that shape the future of humanity.

In line with Kuwait University’s strategy to support sustainability, scientific research, and international cooperation,

In this context, Governor Yuriko Koike highlighted the deep friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and Japan, praising Kuwait’s generous support to Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, which contributed to reconstruction projects and strengthened the ties between the two nations.

In her talk, Koike discussed the major challenges the world faces today amid climate change and the growing frequency of natural disasters, noting that cities are increasingly capable of leading change and driving the transition toward innovative environmental solutions. She explained that Tokyo has adopted ambitious policies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through various initiatives such as solar energy, clean hydrogen, and the expansion of urban green spaces.

She also addressed women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of a prosperous society, highlighting the significant rise in the number of women in leadership and political positions in Tokyo. Women now make up around 40% of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, and the number of female entrepreneurs has doubled in recent years.

Koike added that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to strengthen the role of families and support parents through comprehensive policies that make parenthood easier and encourage fathers to take parental leave. These efforts, she noted, have contributed to building a more balanced society and promoting family stability.
Speaking about education, Koike praised Kuwait’s support for higher education, emphasizing that human beings are the true source of energy for any society, and that investing in education is the key path toward achieving sustainable development.
Following the lecture, Ms. Koike met with a group of Japanese students studying at Kuwait University. She expressed her pride in their educational experience in Kuwait and commended the university for fostering an academic environment that encourages cultural exchange and strengthens the spirit of cooperation among nations.
At the conclusion of the visit, Kuwait University presented a commemorative gift to the Governor of Tokyo; a photograph of the first image captured by the “KuwaitSat-1” satellite, developed by a team from Kuwait University, in appreciation of her visit and her support for environmental initiatives and scientific innovation.