Zim gathers input for Expo 2025 Osaka

AS ZIMBABWE intensifies its preparations for the upcoming Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, the Organisers are rolling out engagement programmes to ensure the national showcase achieves maximum impact on the global stage.

According to Expo 2025 Osaka October newsletter, the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Pavilion, Mr Allan Majuru, who is also ZimTrade chief executive officer, leads these preparations, having established a secretariat to coordinate the process.

The provincial engagements, which will be held across the country, are aimed at collecting input from local stakeholders to shape Zimbabwe’s presentation at this prestigious international event.

The objectives of Zimbabwe’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka include to promote brand Zimbabwe, showcase the country’s social and cultural diversity, attract trade and investment, highlight business opportunities and tourism attractions, benchmark against global standards and compare Zimbabwe’s products and services with global best practices.

Further, the expo will provide the country a platform to leverage innovation for sustainable development goals (SDGs), implement and gather insights on innovations that can be applied locally to meet SDG targets as well as engage with the international community.

Zimbabwe will exhibit under the theme “Beyond Limits” and its pavilion will embrace diversity, innovation, and resilience, focusing on how the country is overcoming challenges.

The pavilion’s theme aligns with Second Republic philosophies such as “Nyika inovakwa, Igonamatirwa neVene Vayo” (The nation is built by its own people), “A Friend to All, An Enemy to None”, “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”, “Leaving No One and No Place Behind”, “Reform and Opening Up’’, “Brick by Brick, Stone upon Stone”, “Engagement and Re-Engagement”, “Innovation, Modernisation and Industrialisation”.

The expo is an ideal platform for 8 billion people from across the world to interact, share ideas and shape the future, access cutting-edge technologies that will help resolve global challenges, space where new products and technologies will emerge, enhancing everyday life as well as provide opportunities for promoting both domestic and international investments.It builds on the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which has seen the Gulf country growing to become Zimbabwe’s second biggest trading partner after South Africa.

Scheduled for November 4-14,2024, the Expo 2025 preparatory provincial engagements will allow the organisers to gather insights from a diverse range of voices including representatives from Government, business, tourism, trade, and cultural sectors.

Each session will involve meetings with representatives from key sectors, presentations from the Secretariat, and open discussions where stakeholders can share their perspectives and recommendations.

The feedback collected during these sessions will be compiled, analysed, and integrated into the pavilion’s final design and messaging strategy.

The objective is to build a cohesive vision that highlights Zimbabwe’s offerings in tourism, investment, and trade, aligning with Japan’s Expo 2025 theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

Zimbabwe will participate under the theme, “Beyond the Limits”.

Mr Majuru said the decision to conduct engagements at provincial level came out of the National Stakeholder Engagement Forum, held in Bulawayo, where emphasis was placed on having a collective approach in the journey towards Expo 2025.

“The decision to conduct provincial engagements is rooted in Zimbabwe’s commitment to an inclusive approach that reflects the nation’s unique strengths and collective identity.

“Preparing for an international event of this scale requires meticulous attention to logistical details, from planning exhibits to arranging key exhibition messaging.

“This process acknowledges that effective representation on the world stage requires input from the entire nation, not just top-level policymakers or industry leaders.

“In reaching out we will gather local perspectives, highlight regional opportunities, foster stakeholder buy-in, refine key messaging, and enhance logistical preparedness,” he said.

Each province brings its distinct culture, economic landscape, and priorities Engaging with these regions will allow the secretariat to consider diverse inputs, balancing representation from both urban and rural areas.

This diversity will enrich the pavilion and communicates Zimbabwe’s multifaceted identity to potential investors, tourists, and partners.

Mr Majuru also said input from local communities and businesses is essential in capturing the diversity and depth of Zimbabwe’s regional strengths.

“These perspectives provide authentic insight into what Zimbabwe has to offer, allowing the pavilion to represent the nation more holistically.

“Each province possesses unique resources and attractions, from natural landmarks and tourism hotspots to agricultural and mining potential.

“Identifying these regional assets will help the secretariat to shape a pavilion experience that appeals to a broad spectrum of international interests, enhancing Zimbabwe’s appeal as a destination for tourism, trade, and investment,” said Mr Majuru.

At Expo 2025, Zimbabwe’s pavilion will serve as a small-scale version of the nation, conveying its cultural richness, economic potential, and resilience.

The structure and themes of this pavilion will be shaped by insights gained from provincial engagements, giving Zimbabwe a unique advantage in delivering a presentation that feels genuine and rooted in local realities.

The pavilion is expected to include immersive exhibits highlighting the country’s history, natural resources, tourism, and economic initiatives.

Central to the experience will be Zimbabwe’s natural beauty from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Nyanga Mountains to Great Zimbabwe monuments, showcasing its rich biodiversity and commitment to sustainable tourism.

Agriculture, education, health, and mining sectors will also be spotlighted, providing a comprehensive look at Zimbabwe’s economic strengths.

The pavilion will also emphasise Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, focusing on the nation’s natural attractions, cultural heritage, and unique travel experiences.

Zimbabwe’s rich natural landscapes, from the iconic Victoria Falls to the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins, are set to capture attention as must-visit destinations for adventure and cultural tourism.

Additionally, the pavilion will showcase Zimbabwe’s strides in sustainable tourism, aligning with the expo theme.

Initiatives around wildlife conservation, community-based tourism, and eco-friendly accommodations will be featured, appealing to tourists seeking meaningful and environmentally conscious travel.

Investment opportunities are another focus area.

Zimbabwe’s pavilion will emphasise sectors where foreign investment can create a meaningful impact, including infrastructure development, energy, and technology.

In alignment with the expo’s overarching theme, the pavilion will underscore opportunities for collaboration and growth in fields contributing to sustainable development, leveraging Zimbabwe’s unique resources and strategic position in the region.

In addition, trade will be another central pillar in Zimbabwe’s pavilion, showcasing a range of sectors ready for international partnerships.

Key exports like value-added products, minerals, tobacco, cotton, and horticultural products will be highlighted to attract buyers and establish long-term trade deals.

Through direct contact with potential partners, the pavilion will serve as a gateway for discussions on boosting exports and exploring new markets.

-herald