The Fifth International Conference of University Presidents for Peace Held in Hiroshima

Hiroshima University, in partnership with the Association of Arab Universities (AArU), convened the Fifth International Conference of University Presidents for Peace – Arab Chapter in the city of Hiroshima, Japan, on 4 February 2026, with high-level participation from Arab and international academic leaders.

The conference witnessed the participation of Arab higher education institutions from the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Qatar, Tunisia, and Jordan, within the framework of strengthening international academic cooperation and affirming the pivotal role played by universities in fostering a culture of peace and supporting pathways toward sustainable development.

In his address at the conference, H.E. Professor Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, emphasized the strategic role of universities in promoting the values of peace, enhancing civilizational dialogue, and building generations capable of addressing global challenges through education and scientific research. He stressed that international academic cooperation constitutes a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and enhancing global stability.

His Excellency also highlighted the Association of Arab Universities’ commitment to expanding and deepening its international partnerships, particularly with Japanese universities, in a manner that supports academic exchange, encourages joint scientific research, and strengthens shared human values.

For his part, the President of Hiroshima University affirmed the importance of the role played by higher education institutions in preparing future leaders, advancing scientific research, and employing knowledge in the service of society and the consolidation of global peace.

The conference also featured the participation of Mr. Tsukasa Omura, Special Representative of the Government of Japan and Special Envoy for Peace in the Middle East, who underscored the importance of strengthening academic cooperation between Japan and the Arab region. He expressed his aspiration to build an effective global university network that contributes to the promotion of peace values and international understanding.

The conference witnessed the signing of the Hiroshima Declaration for Peace by the participating university presidents, reaffirming the commitment of academic institutions to their humanitarian and ethical role in promoting peace and entrenching the values of dialogue and coexistence.

H.E. the Secretary-General was accompanied by Professor Anas Al-Soud, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities; Ms. Lina Al-Bitar, Director of the General Administration; and Mr. Ziad Amara, Director of International Relations at the Association.

Through its active participation in this international conference, the Association of Arab Universities reaffirms its firm commitment to supporting the presence of Arab universities on the global academic stage and strengthening their role as effective partners in major humanitarian and developmental issues, foremost among them peace, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development. In this context, the Association continues to work toward building strategic international partnerships and providing effective platforms for academic cooperation, thereby enabling Arab universities to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of higher education and serving societies at both the regional and international levels.