August 22, 2025 — Osaka, Japan
At the heart of Expo 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a powerful message of unity and renewal, praising Japan’s enduring commitment to peace, multilateralism, and human security.

“World Expos aren’t just feel-good exhibitions—they’re invitations to tell our stories,” Guterres told attendees at the UN Pavilion, where over 160 countries and organizations have gathered to showcase global cooperation.

He commended Japan’s post-war transformation into a champion of peace and nuclear disarmament, noting its pivotal role in shaping multilateral achievements since joining the UN nearly 70 years ago.

Guterres emphasized the UN’s daily impact—from feeding 150 million people to vaccinating nearly half the world’s children—and called for urgent reforms to global governance. “The UN Charter remains the pillar of international law, but today’s challenges demand renewal,” he said.

Referencing the 2024 Pact for the Future and the newly launched UN80 initiative, Guterres urged nations to embrace reform—from the Security Council’s composition to financial systems that perpetuate inequality.

“These are times of peril,” he concluded, “but also times of profound opportunity—and obligation.”