Colombia Showcases Innovation at Expo Osaka 2025
Launched on April 13, 2025, the Colombian Pavilion at Expo Osaka has sparked a debate over its cost of over $11 million . Despite criticism aimed at the Gustavo Petro government, the pavilion serves as a vibrant highlight of *Colombia’s innovation, sustainability, culture, and business opportunities.* According to the Foreign Ministry, this space aims to promote the best aspects of the country.
Open until October 13, 2025, the pavilion is set to host the International Macorrueda , a pivotal event on September 1 and 2 . Entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs from seven Colombian departments, including Antioquia, Nariño, Caldas, Córdoba, Cundinamarca, Boyacá, and Valle del Cauca , will participate. This initiative aims to strengthen *Colombia’s presence* in Asian markets while unlocking new investment and trade opportunities .
Among Colombia’s greatest strengths is its biodiversity , showcasing stunning landscapes, flora, and fauna. This aspect is becoming an increasingly attractive point for tourism . Organizations are promoting sustainable tourism , with a focus on responsible bird-watching, known as aviturism . This notion is further supported by the annual Bird International Fair, Colombia Birdfair, held every February in Cali.
The fair aims to integrate Valle del Cauca’s delegation into this new initiative, fostering strategic partnerships and showcasing the region’s avian wealth. Local entrepreneurs are encouraged to leverage opportunities presented by Expo Osaka to attract interest from Asian tour operators and bird enthusiasts.
According to Carlos Mario Wagner , director of the Colombia Birdfair, the objective of participation in this commercial mission is to attract bird observers and ecotourism firms in Asia. “We have arranged a special schedule for bird photographers not just from Japan, but from various Asian nations,” he mentioned. During the event, an exclusive exhibition titled “Cali, City of the Birds” will showcase some of the 563 representative birds of this Colombian city. Cali holds a prominent position globally for its bird diversity.
Complementing this exhibition, a powerful promotional video will debut, highlighting Colombia’s extraordinary avifauna and summarizing its reputation as the leading nation in bird species observations, boasting 1,560 species , as reported in the Global Big Day 2025.
Further, the event serves as an invitation to the upcoming edition of the Colombia Birdfair, which will be held from February 12 to 15 in the Orchideorama of Cali. Leaders expect this to be a major global event dedicated to avian species.
“Our participation at Osaka 2025 aims to potentially position Cali as the host city for the World Bird Fair and the South American Bird Fair in 2027,” Wagner noted, emphasizing the significance of this international aviturism event that involves Colombia Birdfair.
Mabel Lara , Secretary of Economic Development and interim Tourism Secretary, emphasized the critical nature of engaging in such platforms for enhancing Cali’s international image. “Our city-region’s positioning through aviturism and salsa has been remarkable,” he stated, noting that over 3,100 visitors arrived from Japan in the first half of 2024. Through these efforts, the Colombian Pavilion aims for a significant impact at Expo Osaka , fostering connections and opportunities in this vibrant market.
This comprehensive focus on sustainable tourism not only illustrates the allure of Colombia’s natural treasures but also the country’s commitment to ecotourism and international engagement. The initiatives being showcased at Expo Osaka 2025 symbolize broader ambitions of connecting Colombian culture and biodiversity with global audiences, paving the way for productive exchanges in the years to come.