Abdul Hamid Zakri, Director of the United Nations University’s Institute of Advanced Studies, in Yokohama, Japan, visited ICTP on 7 April 2005 to explore possible avenues of cooperation with ICTP. He was accompanied my Max Bond, Executive Officer of the UNU Office of the Rector, and Caterina Casullo, Head, UNU Office in Europe, Paris. It marked the first meeting between the two organizations. Zakri will return in July to sign a memorandum of understanding between ICTP and UNU which it is hoped will lead to joint activities and other cooperative ventures.