Gabon and World Expos: from Montreal 1967 to Osaka 2025, half a century of green diplomacy
- Mavikana
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Gabon and World Expos: A Retrospective of a Global Journey
For more than half a century, Gabon has cultivated an active presence in World and Specialized Expos, these global gatherings where nations showcase their visions, innovations, and cultures. From the Place de l'Afrique in Montreal in 1967 to the "Gabon From Futur" pavilion in Osaka in 2025, each participation reflects the same ambition: to place the Gabonese forest, its biodiversity, and its cultural heritage at the heart of global dialogue.
⸻
1967–1970 | Montreal and Osaka, the international revelation
In 1967, in Montreal, newly independent Gabon took to the international stage at Place de l'Afrique. It was an opportunity to showcase its resources, its artisanal know-how, and the optimism of a country under construction.
Three years later, in 1970, Osaka welcomed Gabon to Asia for the first time, in a pavilion that drew attention with its colors and materials, echoing an Africa on the move. This marked the beginning of a lasting relationship with these great global showcases.
⸻
1992–2005 | Seville, Hanover, Aichi: Affirmation and Consistency
In Seville in 1992, Gabon joined the Plaza de África, a collective space that highlights African cultures and economies. Hanover, in 2000, confirmed this desire to remain present on the Expo scene. Then came Aichi, Japan, in 2005: Gabon participated in the Africa Pavilion, bringing together 28 nations in a cultural and economic dialogue of rare intensity. Gabon's National Day attracts a public curious to discover a country where forest covers nearly 88% of the territory.
⸻
2010–2017 | Shanghai and Astana: Biodiversity and Energy
In 2010, in Shanghai, Gabon was included in the Joint African Pavilion, at the heart of the most visited Expo in modern history, with more than 70 million visitors. The showcase of Gabon's biodiversity and its rare species appealed to an audience in search of authenticity and nature.
In 2017, Gabon participated in a specialized exhibition on the energy of the future in Astana. The message was clear: the forest is not only an ecological lung, it is also a sustainable energy resource and a model of sustainable management.
⸻
2020–2022 | Dubai, “The Sustainable House” and international recognition
Postponed due to the pandemic and held in 2021–2022, Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity for Gabon to showcase "The Sustainable House." This pavilion, combining contemporary architecture and natural materials, embodies an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This vision, recognized by a Silver Award from the Bureau International des Expositions, reinforces the image of an innovative Gabon, capable of translating its ecological values into concrete achievements.
⸻
2025 | Osaka, a future rooted in the forest
At Osaka 2025, the "Gabon From Futur" pavilion presents an immersive journey through the canopy. Under the leadership of Ms. Nina Abouna , Commissioner General for Exhibitions, and with the strong support of President Brice Clotaire Oligui , Gabon is celebrating its National Day there on July 26. The program includes culture, traditional medicine, wellness tourism, and the bioeconomy. A strong message is sent: the Gabonese forest is not just a heritage to be protected, it is a living resource for building the future.
⸻
Gabon : A strategic lever for the future
These participations are not simply ceremonial events. They constitute a long-term strategy: attracting investment in green sectors, training young people for the jobs of the future, and structuring value chains around pharmacopoeia and ecotourism. Universal and specialized Expos thus become accelerators of international alliances, the transfer of know-how, and local development.
⸻
Dr. Yoan MBOUSSOU
President of the NGO Gabon Terre Avenir
Comments