Celebrating the 75th UN Day by International Webinar on SDG4-Education 2030 in Asia andthe Pacific
On October 24, 2020, Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Education hosted an international webinar
on experiences and prospects of SDG4-Education 2030 in Asia and the Pacific to celebrate the 75th UNDay.
In the opening speech, Dr. Tomohiro Yakuwa, Dean of the Graduate School of Education, showed his
appreciation to all participants who continuously supported international exchange activities at theGraduate School of Education, Tohoku University. He also pointed out that we need to collaborate moreto further promote SDG4 as a global commitment to leave no one behind for quality education.

The webinar started with a keynote speech by Mr. Nyi Nyi Thaung, a UNESCO Bangkok Office
Programme Specialist. Mr. Thaung reviewed the development process of SDG4 and introduced theprogress of the SDG4 in Asia and the Pacific. He also shared the new challenges for fulfilling the SDG4by 2030, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in this region. Mr. Thaung concluded his speech byaddressing the importance of collaborating with universities and other stakeholders to look for alternativeways to take action for guaranteeing equity, inclusion, and quality at all levels of education for all.

Following the keynote speech, Dr. Hideki Maruyama from the Faculty of Global Studies, Sophia University,presented Japan’s experiences in fulfilling SDG4 while facing challenges brought by Ageing Society andother social issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasized the role of life-long learning
to fulfill other sustainable development goals in Japan.

Dr. Yuchi Zhao from the Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, introduced the progress of SDG4in China and China’s support to SDG4 through UNESCO. In the presentation, Dr. Zhao talked about how
China localized the SDGs to national development planning. Also, he pointed out that rural education
development is a key challenge for China’s fulfillment of SDG4 by 2030. Dr. Zhao concluded thepresentation by explaining China-UNESCO cooperation for making quality education for all.

From International Development and Cooperation Major, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Dr. Moon
Suk Hong shared current landscapes and challenges of Korean Education and SDG4. Her talk began byintroducing how Korea linked the Global development agenda to their national education anddevelopment agenda. She concluded the presentation by summarizing Korea's advantages andchallenges for providing education with quality and equity for all.

In the discussion session, speakers shared their opinions on universities' roles in promoting SDGs
through teaching and learning. Also, they showed a consensus of building a closer collaboration between
universities in this region and other stakeholders to explore alternative ways to further promote SDG4
towards 2030.

Dr. Kazuhito Noguchi, Vice-dean of the Graduate School of Education, closed the webinar byemphasizing the inclusiveness in education for all. And he also welcomed participants to continuously
take part in the webinar series hosted by the Graduate School of Education, Tohoku University, in 2020.
Presentations and discussions in this webinar indicate many progress and challenges shared in Asia andthe Pacific for the SDG4-Education 2030. Towards the next decade, we need to work more closely formore positive change and transformation for an inclusive and quality education for all.