Slovenia will feature as one of 160 countries at the Expo 2025 show in Osaka, Japan between 13 April and 13 October 2025. Although it will not have its own pavilion, the country will showcase innovative solutions in the fields of green transition, local self-sufficiency and smart industry.

"Expo 2025 is more than just a world exhibition for Slovenia. It's a strategic, symbolic and concrete opportunity to show the world who we are, where we want to go and what we can contribute to a shared future," Slovenia's secretary general for Expo 2025 Saša Leban told reporters ahead of the show.

"With our participation at the World Expo we're affirming that Slovenia understands global challenges and wants to be part of the solution," she added.

Slovenia will present breakthrough solutions at the expo. "These are solutions that prove we can connect innovation, sustainability and smart approaches with concrete working models," Leban said.

The country's showcase will focus on examples of best practice in the fields of green transition, self-sufficiency, smart housing and smart industry.

Adopting the slogan From Heart to Heart, Slovenia's presentation will focus on the human not only as a user of technology but a comprehensive being with reason, feelings, will and values. This is a story beyond the promotional, it is an expression of Slovenia's understanding of the future.

"With this approach we are entering into a dialogue with the Japanese vision of the future, Society 5.0," Leban said.

Opportunity to boost relations with Japan

Slovenia's participation in Expo 2025 is seen as an exceptional opportunity to upgrade bilateral relations with Japan and strengthen the presence of Slovenian companies in the strategically important market.

According to Economy Ministry official Jernej Salecl, Slovenia's presence at the previous expos has had measurable effects; trade between Slovenia and Italy almost doubled after the Expo in Milan and visitor numbers from the UAE and Asia rose nearly tenfold after 2021, when the Expo was held in Dubai.

Japan is already one of Slovenia's most important trading partners in the Asian-Pacific region. Total goods trade amounted to €251 million in 2024 with the main products traded being cars, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, titanium products and specialised tools.

Salecl highlighted the importance of the Koper port, which is becoming one of the key ports for Japan to access Central and Southeastern Europe.

The SPIRIT Slovenia agency is responsible for the content, technical and logistical organisation of the Slovenian Expo participation. It will also organise four official business delegations in May, June, September and October.

"We will organise meetings with representatives of businesses, investment forums and presentations for Slovenian businesses to connect with Japanese and international partners, especially in fields where we have excellent knowledge and innovations - digitalisation, green technology, sustainable mobility and high-tech solutions," SPIRIT acting director Tamara Zajec Balažic said.

SMEs will be able to have their participation co-funded through the Slovenian Enterprise Fund.

Slovenia will not have its own pavilion in Japan, but will exhibit at a pavilion alongside Croatia, Gabon, San Marino, Guatemala, Ukraine, Montenegro, Panama, Israel, Slovakia and Uruguay.

The preparations for the Expo coincided with the 2023 floods and were thus affected by costs optimisation.

Clad in green, Slovenia's exhibition space will offer a virtual tour of the country and host presentations of its regions, tourist destinations and cultural heritage.