The sea and the blue economy will be central to Italy’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the General Commissariat for the Universal Exposition and the Department for Maritime Policies. The agreement aims to highlight marine infrastructure, naval shipbuilding, and research, positioning Italy as a technological leader in the maritime sector. Italy and Japan, united by their historic maritime traditions, will use Expo 2025 (scheduled from 13 April to 13 October 2025) as a platform to strengthen dialogue between businesses, institutions, and innovation hubs. “The sea, a timeless symbol of Italian identity, is a key protagonist in Italy’s narrative at Expo 2025 Osaka and one of the central themes structuring the activities of our Italy Pavilion,” emphasized Ambassador Mario Vattani, Italy’s Commissioner General for Expo Osaka. “We aim to update our nation’s image in key international and Asian markets, starting with the underwater technology sector, which has the full capacity to establish Italy as a hub for cutting-edge technology—a potential partner not only for Japan but beyond.”
Reinforcing institutional commitment, Senator Nello Musumeci, Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, announced an official visit to the Italy Pavilion during the Day of the Sea (21 July 2025), followed by a dedicated event on 22 July to showcase Italian excellence in the maritime sector. Organized in collaboration with the Commissariat, the initiative will foster dialogue among international stakeholders, industry leaders, and academia to accelerate collaborations on sustainability and innovation. The MoU is part of a broader strategy, building on existing projects such as the Vespucci Tour—a promotional campaign for the Italian Navy’s historic training ship—and an agreement with the Italian Maritime Federation to strengthen public-private partnerships.
“Expo 2025 will be the stage to demonstrate how Italy merges tradition and technology, creating exportable models in the blue economy,” added Vattani. With over 150 countries expected in Osaka, the Italy Pavilion will highlight excellence rooted in the sea but oriented toward the future: from protecting marine ecosystems to underwater robotics and smart port cities. This marks an opportunity to redefine, through collaboration with Japan, the Mediterranean’s role on the global stage.
