Uruguay Showcases Vision for the Future at Osaka 2025 World Expo

Uruguay officially announced its participation in the Universal Expo Osaka 2025, which will be held from April 13 to October 13 in Japan under the slogan “Designing the Society of the Future for Our Lives.” The event, which took place in the Executive Tower, was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uruguay XXI, with the participation of authorities and diplomatic representatives.

The presentation included a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Lubetkin, who highlighted the country’s ability to coordinate efforts from different sectors and emphasized the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship with Japan. “We are going to a country that is an indispensable actor and partner. The great relationship we have always had with Japan, which goes back many years, will generate a new synthesis in Osaka,” he said.

The executive director of Uruguay XXI, Mariana Ferreira, underlined the economic importance of the Japanese market for Uruguay. “Japan is a world economic power and offers many opportunities for our country. If we look at the data, exports of goods to Japan in 2024 were US$72 million, the highest number on record,” she said, adding that half of these exports were meat and another 30% were meat by-products. ‘We need to diversify the products that enter the country, and this Expo is an opportunity for that,’ she said.

Ferreira also emphasized the interest in attracting new investments: “In Uruguay, more than 30 Japanese companies have already been established, and we need more. We can take advantage of the Expo to attract investment to our country,” he said.

The Japanese ambassador to Uruguay, Okada Kenichi, emphasized the ties that unite the two countries. “Japan and Uruguay share fundamental values and principles. Today, the international order faces ever greater challenges, and cooperation between Japan and Uruguay is becoming even more important,” he said. He also expressed his enthusiasm for the Uruguayan presence in Osaka. “As ambassador, I have learned about the opportunities offered by the country, both as a logistical and technological hub for the region, as well as the great development of the information and communications technology and renewable energy sectors. The Uruguay pavilion at Expo Osaka will be a true showcase to the world so that millions can learn more about this beautiful country,” he said.

Finally, the Uruguayan commissioner for the exhibition, Benjamín Liberoff, recalled the long history of collaboration between the two nations. “Japan and our country have been cooperating for 100 years. I think we have to take advantage of this during the six months we will have a presence in Osaka,” he said.

Regarding the Uruguayan proposal, he explained that the country would be represented through an important group of products, companies, and organizations. “Our products will also be present: olives, wine, caviar, and videogames, which are already well-known in Japan,” he said. Liberoff also pointed out that Uruguay will seek to show its cultural similarities with Japan and share areas of development such as the Ceibal Program, fiber optics, meat traceability, videogame production, wine and olive production, and wool fashion designs.

The official presentation also included a preview of the pavilion, which is currently under construction and will stand out for its innovation, sustainability, and interactive design. It will feature ecological materials, meeting rooms, a wine bar with national wines, and spaces dedicated to promoting investment, exports, and the country’s commitment to sustainability.

Uruguay will celebrate its National Day at the Expo on June 17, with cultural activities led by the Quinteto Barrio Sur, made up of Hugo Fattoruso and Mathías Silva (Cuareim 1080), and a business and institutional mission coordinated by Uruguay XXI.

Uruguay’s participation in this event is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay XXI and numerous public and private entities, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), el Banoco República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU), the National Institute of Viticulture (INAVI), the National Meat Institute (INAC), with its sector brand Uruguay Beef; the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI), the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, the Ministry of Tourism, the Uruguayan-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the University of the Republic and Ceibal.

Companies and organizations include Oji Holdings, the Pasteur Institute, Hospital de Clínicas, the National Logistics Institute (INALOG), Tenfield, Bodega Santa Rosa, Bodega Garzón, the Uruguayan Wool Secretariat (SUL), Manos del Uruguay, Autóctona, Caviar Polanco, Vitanna, Don Báez, Texturable, La Pasionaria, Sinfonía Blends by Mónica Devoto, Colectivo Escala Humana, El Correo Uruguayo, the Rice Growers' Association (ACA), the Uruguayan Film and Audiovisual Agency (ACAU), Punta del Este International, the Association of Mothers and Relatives of Disappeared Detainees, the Uruguayan Chamber of Videogame Developers (CAVI), Taller Aescala, and the Uruguayan Olive Growers' Association (ASOLUR).

Companies and organizations interested in participating in the official delegation can contact us through  the official website of Uruguay at Expo Osaka.