On March 13, 2026, a special symposium in preparation for COP31 was held at Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus, welcoming Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change of the Republic of Vanuatu. The symposium was organized by the Sophia University Institute of Island Sustainability, and co-hosted by the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, APIC, and the Pacific Islands Centre (PIC).

Click here for the article(Japanese only)

(English translation below)

On March 13, 2026, a special symposium in preparation for COP31 was held at Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus, welcoming Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change of the Republic of Vanuatu. The symposium was organized by the Sophia University Institute of Island Sustainability, and co-hosted by the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, APIC, and the Pacific Islands Centre (PIC).

In the keynote lecture titled “The Islands Are Not Sinking: Sovereignty, Climate Justice, and the Responsibility of the International Community,” the Minister highlighted the significance of Vanuatu’s request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He also introduced the country’s initiatives, including the transition to renewable energy, waste management, and disaster response. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for international support for loss and damage, as well as the importance of legal frameworks and international cooperation to protect the sovereignty of island nations and ensure a sustainable future.

In the subsequent dialogue session, moderated by Professor Akemi Ori, lively discussions took place on topics such as climate justice in island nations, international cooperation, and the role of innovation. Participants shared the importance of cross-sector collaboration, marking an important step toward strengthening future partnerships.