The Presidential Delegates of the U7+ Alliance met on January 26–27 in Sendai, Japan, at the invitation of Tohoku University. 42 representatives from 30 member universities of the Alliance attended the meeting, highlighting the importance of engaging at the Delegate’s level.
A key objective of the meeting was to prepare the next U7+ Presidential Summit, scheduled to take place in Paris on April 14 and 15, 2026, seven years after the inaugural Paris Summit (2019) that marked the creation of the Alliance.
During the meeting, delegates worked collectively on several priority themes addressed throughout the year within dedicated working groups. The social role of universities in a rapidly transforming world and its far-reaching consequences will be the main theme of the Summit and of the U7+ Communiqué to the G7. The scope of the renewed Artificial Intelligence Working Group, co-chaired by LSE and IITB, was discussed in preparation for its first meeting, which will take place at the end of February. Insights and opportunities for the Climate Change and Sustainability working group were also shared with the participants.
Emphasis was placed on strengthening the impact and visibility of the Alliance, considering the current international context and the growing pressures facing higher education, research, and multilateral cooperation worldwide.
A session was also devoted to sharing perspectives on the political context in each country represented within the Alliance, with particular attention to implications for higher education and research.
The meeting ended with a campus tour of Tohoku University campus, and the International Research Institute of Disaster Science - IRIDeS), followed by a Bureau meeting. A warm thank you to Tohoku University and particularly to Professor Ueki, Executive Vice President for General Affairs, International Relations, and Academic Resources, and his Global Engagement Team, for hosting a beautiful and successful meeting.