July 8, 2021 — In this timely conversation, Mami Mizutori talks about how countries can better prevent and prepare for future crises – whether a pandemic, climate change, or something else entirely. The senior diplomat, who worked for Japan’s ministry of foreign affairs for 27 years, serves as special representative for the secretary general for disaster risk reduction. She heads the office in Geneva, which is tasked with prevention – trying to ensure that natural or man-made hazards don’t turn into disaster. (38 min., 40 sec.)

Mami Mizutori is the Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction heading the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR, formerly UNISDR) since March 2018. Prior to joining UNDRR she was Executive Director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of East Anglia, UK since 2011. She served for 27 years in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in various capacities, including as Budget Director, Director of the Japan Information and Culture Centre at the Embassy of Japan in London, Director of the National Security Policy Division, Director of the United Nations Policy Division, Director of the Status of United States Forces Agreement Division and Deputy Director of the Personnel Division. She has worked in London, Washington D.C., and Mexico City. She has taught courses on governance in East Asia at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and international studies at Waseda University, Tokyo. Ms. Mizutori graduated in law from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, and obtained a diploma in international studies from the Diplomatic School of Spain. Born in 1960, Ms. Mizutori is married.