Montenegro Commemorates National Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

Montenegro’s involvement in EXPO 2025 in Osaka, along with the forthcoming meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister, signals a bright beginning for a lasting and robust friendship between our two nations, stated Prime Minister Milojko Spajić during the celebration of Montenegro’s National Day at the World Expo today.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Montenegro is celebrating its National Day at EXPO just shortly after its significant state holiday, Independence Day, which is observed on May 21.

For Montenegro to navigate global challenges effectively, it is essential to pursue a knowledge-driven development path, and Japan serves as an exemplary model in this context, Spajić remarked.

He emphasized that the time is right to elevate the bilateral relations between Montenegro and Japan—soon approaching a century and a half of diplomatic ties—across various fields of mutual interest.

Highlighting the EXPO’s emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, the Prime Minister noted how closely these themes resonate with Montenegro’s commitment to smart and sustainable development.

We firmly believe that knowledge and innovation serve as the pillars of societal advancement. Our final phase toward achieving our key foreign policy objective—EU membership by 2028—is solidly grounded in reforms concerning education, science, and innovation, he stated.

Spajić reiterated that Montenegro’s participation in EXPO 2025 and the upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba symbolizes the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the two nations.

The ceremony featured a performance by the acclaimed opera singer Tamara Rađenović, who sang the national anthems of both Montenegro and Japan.

During the visit to EXPO 2025, Prime Minister Spajić explored both the Montenegrin and Japanese pavilions.

The event was also attended by Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, Prince Nikola Petrović, the President and members of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, notable guests from Osaka’s business and cultural sectors, and representatives from national pavilions participating in EXPO 2025.

EXPO 2025 is scheduled to take place in Osaka from April 13 to October 13, 2025, under the central theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” which includes three subthemes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.

Montenegro has participated in World Expositions four times to date, beginning with the Principality of Montenegro’s entry in the 1905 World Expo in Liège. Since regaining independence in 2006, Montenegro has participated in World Expos in Shanghai (2010), Milan (2015), and Dubai (2021).

Consistent involvement in global exhibitions offers a distinctive platform for international promotion, strengthens bilateral ties, enhances the country’s image, and opens new pathways for foreign direct investment and tourism.