Dr. Akihiro Seita, who has dedicated more than three decades to improving health care for individuals in the Middle East, especially Palestinian refugees, was awarded the 31st Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize at a ceremony held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Along with this prestigious accolade, he received a financial award of ¥5 million. At 63 years old, Seita has been the director of health at the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 2010, overseeing health care initiatives that serve approximately 5.9 million refugees.

During his acceptance speech, Seita highlighted the challenges UNRWA faces in balancing the needs of refugees with the expectations of the host countries and the donor nations that provide funding. He noted that increased satisfaction among the refugees could lead to more contentment among hosting nations and UNRWA staff, which may result in more generous funding from donor countries. Seita views the refugees as the primary stakeholders in these efforts, underscoring their importance in guiding the organization's actions.

He expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the honor, stating he receives the recognition and the financial contribution on behalf of his colleagues. Seita also mentioned that he plans to donate the prize money to support UNRWA's ongoing initiatives. Prior to his tenure with UNRWA, he had extensive experience at the World Health Organization, where he spent 15 years tackling infectious diseases in various countries, including Somalia and Afghanistan.