Director General Kamei Haruko Speaks at Global Leader Forum 2026 on Women’s Leadership and Human Security

On May 21, 2026, Kamei Haruko , Director General of the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (JICA Ogata Research Institute), participated as a speaker in the “Global Leader Forum 2026: Shaping the Future of Women’s Leadership ,” co-hosted by the Osaka University Social Solution Initiative (SSI) and the Inochi Forum .

The event aimed to promote gender equality and women’s leadership by creating a platform for dialogue and empathy. It also sought to address broader social challenges related to diversity and inclusion, building on the legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Speakers from diverse countries took part in discussions on key themes: (1) gender equality and SDG 5 (gender equality), (2) peace and human rights, (3) global leadership in a sustainable society, and (4) entrepreneurial development and career advancement.

Kamei took part in a session titled “Peace and Human Security – The Role of Women in Achieving Effective Resilience,” moderated by Kristina Cerioni (International Consultant, CEAMM – Bridging the Gaps). Kamei joined a panel of distinguished speakers, including Vladyslava Magaletska (former Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and former Deputy Minister on European Integration of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine), Okabe Yoshihiko (Honorary Consul of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Kobe and Professor at Kobe Gakuin University), and Lara Scarpitta (Senior Adviser on Gender Issues at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Head of the Gender Issues Programme in the Office of the Secretary General).

At the outset, Kamei introduced the role and research activities of the JICA Ogata Research Institute and highlighted the contributions of Ogata Sadako, former JICA President, who made a lasting impact on the international community as a pioneering female leader. She also emphasized the importance of human security—the Institute’s core philosophy.

Building on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, she outlined JICA’s efforts to incorporate WPS perspectives into its assistance to Ukraine, including demining initiatives. She also explained that Japan’s support for strengthening resilience from a WPS perspective draws on its experience in disaster risk reduction and disaster response. Furthermore, she stressed that achieving human security requires recognizing women not as passive victims in need of protection, but as agents of change, and ensuring their participation in all stages of decision-making processes.

The session featured discussions on the challenges facing Ukraine, the concept of WPS, and the importance of individual safety and well-being. It provided a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the value of human security as a fundamental principle for peace, as well as for strengthening resilience and promoting individual well-being.

The JICA Ogata Research Institute will continue to promote the creation and dissemination of practical knowledge in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, based on the philosophy of human security.