-Gets officially selected to host the Women’s Forum at the prestigious Women’s Pavilion
Osaka, Japan — Liberia has made history as the only nation among 160 participating countries at Expo 2025 Osaka to be officially selected to host the Women’s Forum at the prestigious Women’s Pavilion. This milestone places the West African country at the forefront of global discussions on women’s empowerment, gender equality, political leadership, and inclusive development. This historic achievement comes under the diplomatic leadership of Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has played a pivotal role in steering the nation’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan. It also reflects the emphasis placed on gender equality—especially empowering women and girls—and the advocacy efforts of Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Liberia.
Scheduled for August 24–25, 2025, the Women’s Forum will bring together more than 100 influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and human rights advocates from across Africa, Japan, and around the world. The Forum will serve as a platform for dialogue on gender equity, inclusive economic development, and the transformative role of women in building innovative, sustainable, and resilient societies.
On Tuesday, April 30, Liberia’s Commissioner General to Expo 2025, Ambassador Queen Juli Endee, toured the Women’s Pavilion and its exhibition spaces in preparation for the event. She was warmly received by Mrs. Akiko Shoda, Programming Manager for the Pavilion, who praised Liberia’s vision and expressed full support for the initiative. “We are honored to welcome Liberia to the Women’s Pavilion,” said Mrs. Shoda. “The Forum is shaping up to be one of the Pavilion’s most impactful programs. Queen Endee has our full support, and we look forward to this meaningful collaboration.”
Liberia’s participation directly reflects President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda — a comprehensive national development framework focused on Agribusiness, Roads and Infrastructure, Rule of Law and Governance, Education and Human Capital Development, Sanitation, and Tourism. At its heart, the ARREST Agenda prioritizes inclusive growth, transparency, and empowerment—especially of women and youth.
The Women’s Forum will serve as a global showcase of Liberia’s progress under this agenda. From spotlighting women-led agribusiness innovations, to promoting educational and vocational opportunities, to strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance, the event aims to demonstrate how women are central to Liberia’s vision for a just and thriving nation. Exhibitions will also highlight sustainable tourism initiatives and innovations in sanitation and public health, led by women across rural and urban communities.
Ambassador Endee, a renowned champion for gender equality, underscored the significance of Liberia’s leadership at the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) World Expo Steering Committee for seconding Liberia at the Women’s Pavilion: “This is not just a milestone for Liberia—it is a beacon of hope for African women. We are proud to bring our stories of strength, innovation, and leadership to the world stage. This is the ARREST Agenda in action—empowering women to drive development across every sector of our society,” she said.
Expo 2025 Osaka, taking place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, is expected to attract over 28 million visitors from around the world. The Women’s Pavilion, curated through partnerships with international organizations and Japanese institutions, will serve as a key platform for global dialogue on gender equity, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive progress.
Liberia’s historic role at the Pavilion is being hailed as a diplomatic, economic, and cultural breakthrough, signaling the country’s growing leadership in championing gender equity, economic development, and African innovation on the global stage.
