Czech Pavilion hosts NATO Days at EXPO 2025: A forum on innovation, security, and global partnerships
The Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka became a key diplomatic and innovation hub as Czechia hosted one of NATO Days main events, Industry Day under the theme of “Designing Future Security for Our Lives.” Organised in close partnership with NATO Headquarters, this full-day conference brought together government officials, NATO representatives, diplomats, researchers, entrepreneurs, and young innovators from across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions to explore how innovation and international cooperation can help tackle today’s pressing security challenges.
Opening the conference, Ondřej Soška, Czech Commissioner General for EXPO 2025, underlined the importance of partnerships in an increasingly uncertain world: “In Europe, we once believed peace could be taken for granted. That illusion is gone. Today, in the face of hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, and disinformation, our security depends on strong alliances and shared values,” he said. “For Czechia, joining NATO 25 years ago was a visionary decision. But NATO today is more than a military alliance – it’s a platform for trust, cooperation, and technological progress.”
The day’s programme featured a keynote speech by Dr. Nikos Loutas, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, who presented NATO’s strategic vision for innovation cooperation with partners like Japan, Australia, and South Korea: “The Alliance is committed to rapidly adopt new technologies and expand transatlantic defence industrial cooperation, including with non-traditional suppliers, such as startups and scaleups, to advance our collective security. This will also foster further cooperation opportunities with relevant actors in Japan, as well as other NATO partners in the Indo-Pacific”.
Hirohisa Mori, Director for Defense Equipment Transfer Strategy at Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, focused on the evolution of Japan-NATO industrial ties and joint technology development.
Two panel discussions followed. The first addressed industrial cooperation and the use of emerging technologies – such as AI, drones, and advanced satellite systems – in defense and peacekeeping. Speakers included Dr. Loutas; Dr. Massimo Artini, Vice-Chair of the Board of DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic), a NATO initiative that supports dual-use technology startups through funding and mentorship; and Dylan Monaghan of ICEYE, a satellite imaging company offering real-time data from orbit.
The second panel focused on scientific cooperation, moderated by Andreada Florea from NATO’s Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, which supports collaborative research projects in areas like disaster response, cyber defence, and biosecurity. Contributors included Professor Nobumasa Akiyama (Hitotsubashi University), Professor Motoyuki Sato (Tohoku University), and Dr. Takeshi Ohshima (National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology).
A dynamic Startup Pitch Session closed the formal programme, showcasing six young companies developing disruptive security-related solutions. These included WOTA (compact water-recycling systems for off-grid and disaster settings), Synspective (satellite-based Earth observation and disaster mapping), sakana.ai (generative AI and threat detection), Innophys (robotic assistive devices) and LQUOM (quantum communications).
Importantly, participants had the opportunity to directly connect with the presenting startups following their pitches. This interactive element formed part of Czechia’s broader business and innovation programme at EXPO 2025, which supports international collaboration, investment, and export opportunities for technology-driven companies and research projects.
The event concluded with guided tours of the Czech Pavilion and an evening reception featuring a live Air and Water Show on the pavilion terrace.
The event hosted at the Czech Pavilion is part of the NATO Days at World Expo Osaka which coincided with EXPO’s Peace, Human Security and Dignity Theme Week. The initiative was led by Pietro De Matteis from NATO Engagements team in partnership NATO Contact Point Embassies in Japan (Norway and Romania) and the pavilions of several NATO Allies, including Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden. The programme also included cultural activities with Ukrainian artists supported by the European Union. Many more Allies and Partners contributed with speakers.
The full conference is available to stream via the Czechia EXPO 2025 official YouTube channel.