As of 1 January 2014, the Satoyama Initiative’s host organization, the United Nations University Institute of

Advanced Studies, has merged with the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace to form a new body called the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). We are pleased to announce that the International Satoyama Initiative’s Programme Director, Dr. Kazu Takemoto, has been named Director of this new Insititute, effective 1 January, 2014.

UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, which is undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars. Its research programme will focus on high-level policymaking based on aspects of environmental research, including the science of sustainability, biodiversity and environmental governance.

The full press release regarding Dr. Takemoto’s appointment can be found here.

For the time being, Dr. Takemoto plans to continue to serve as ISI Programme Director in addition to his duties as Director of the new Institute. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please feel free to contact the IPSI Secretariat at any time.