Expo 2025: “We, the people. We, the nations.”

Your Excellencies, Dear representatives of the participating countries, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends of Japan and Switzerland, 55 years after our iconic pavilion at Expo 1970 in Osaka, and 20 years after our equally memorable pavilion at Expo 2005 in Aichi, it is a great honor for Switzerland to be back in Japan for Expo 2025 in Osaka. We gather here at this remarkable global event under the theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
At a time of growing geopolitical tension — when we sense a turning point in history — dialogue and cooperation are more vital than ever. Expo Osaka 2025 embodies this spirit.

My country is proud to be part of a platform where innovation, sustainability, and shared aspirations meet — reminding us that progress only happens under the “we” pronoun:
We, the people. We, the nations.

And today, on Switzerland’s National Day:
We — Switzerland and Japan.

Our presence here in Osaka is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the deep friendship between Switzerland and Japan — a relationship that began over 160 years ago.

Over the years, our two countries have built a strong bond of trust, rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
We are united in our commitment to an open, liberal, and rules-based world — one that enables progress and prosperity for all.

Japan is Switzerland’s first partner in Asia in science and technology. More than 70 partnerships between our universities reflect this close cooperation, especially in industry-academia collaboration.

Since 2022, Osaka has also been home to a Swissnex — our science consulate — and a proud partner of the Swiss Pavilion.

Swissnex is a dynamic hub, connecting Swiss universities, start-ups, businesses, and creatives with local and regional partners in Japan. The results speak for themselves:
Japanese companies are now the most important Asian investors in Switzerland — drawn by our strong innovation ecosystem.

Dear Guests
Switzerland is a country of contrasts: rooted in tradition, yet pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Our pavilion — “From Heidi to High-Tech” — reflects this unique journey.
From the iconic Alps to cutting-edge science and global technology, we invite you to explore Switzerland through three main themes:
Augmented Human, Life, and Planet.

Let’s come up to these three topics:
First. Augmented Human
Switzerland leads in robotics, AI, quantum computing — all aimed at enhancing human potential.
We also invest in augmented and virtual reality and digital security, to improve lives and safety.
At the same time, we address the ethical dimensions of these advances.
One example is the Open Quantum Institute, developed by GESDA (Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator) and hosted by CERN in Geneva — a project ensuring innovation serves the common good.

Second. Life
This theme celebrates the vitality of human life.
Switzerland invests in science, health, and education — directly enriching and prolonging healthy lives.

By exploring sustainable food production and synthetic biology, my Country is addressing fundamental challenges in nutrition and healthcare, thereby improving the quality of life.

Third. Planet
In this cluster, we highlight Switzerland’s leadership in sustainability. From decarbonization and Earth systems modeling, to responsible space resource use — we work to preserve our planet for future generations.

Our message is clear:
Innovation, human well-being, and sustainability are interconnected. Switzerland’s contribution is not only scientific — it is deeply human.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank our Japanese hosts — the Government of Japan and the City of Osaka — for offering us this extraordinary platform. And I warmly thank the organizers for their ongoing support.

As we celebrate Switzerland’s National Day, I offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of our Swiss Pavilion. I hope each of you who visits feels not only inspired — but at home. And I look forward to welcoming you personally to the Swiss Pavilion:
Come discover our spirit of innovation — and perhaps finish with a glass of Swiss white wine or sake at the Heidi rooftop restaurant.

Dear friends of Japan and Switzerland
Grazie. Merci. Danke. Thank you. Arigatou gozaimasu!