The Award Ceremony for the 2017 (25th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on November 6th, 2017.

Some 350 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr. Yoshihiro Hayashi as Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by a representative of the host, and introduced the members of their respective committees.

The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Dr. Raman Sukumar, 2006 prizewinner, Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki, 2016 prizewinner, Mr. Yoshinori Suzuki, Councillor, Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production and Marketing Promotion, Agricultural Production Bureau, Minister`s Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (on behalf of Minister, MAFF), Mr. Hidehiko Ouchi, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT), Mr. Yoshio Ide, Director General, Department of Urban and Public Works, Osaka Prefectural Government (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. Hiroyuki Warata, Director General for Eastern Districts Administration Office, Public Works Bureau, City of Osaka (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City).

Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. Takashi Imai delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. Jane Goodall, the 2017 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform. Chairperson Kishimoto outlined the reasons for the Award.

Dr. Goodall was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize by Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. Takashi Imai and a medallion by Expo'90 Foundation President, Mr. Kazuo Sumi.

On behalf of the guests, master of ceremony read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Then introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. Dr. Goodall delivered the prizewinner's address.

The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a flutist, Ayako Takagi and The Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra.

The 2017 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Masukawa Hall, Kyoto University (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto) on November 7, and at the Auditorium, Arakawa campus, Tokyo Metropolitan University (Arakawa-ku, Tokyo) on November 9.

Prize recipient, Dr. Goodall delivered commemorative lectures. At Kyoto, Dr. Goodall gave a commemorative lecture after the lectures by Dr. Juichi Yamagiwa and Dr. Tetsuro Matsuzawa. At Tokyo, Dr. Goodall gave a commemorative lecture after the presentation by Dr. Yoshihiro Hayashi. Following the lecture by Dr. Goodall, there were active Q&A sessions.

Lecture in Kyoto Attendance: 170
(Students and staff of the Kyoto University, and participants in general)

Lecture in Tokyo Attendance: 300
(250 students from Tokyo Metropolitan High Schools, and 50 Students and staff from Private High Schools)

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Honored with the attendance of Their Imperial Highnesses, the Crown Prince and Princess, the International Cosmos Prize 25th Anniversary Commemorative Assembly and Symposium was held at U Thant International Conference Hall, United Nations University on November 10th.

Time and date: Friday, Novenber 10th, 14:00 - 17:00
Venue: U Thant International Conference Hall, United Nations University
Co-host: Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Attendance: 250

Program

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