Gabon has received international recognition at Expo 2025 Osaka, earning the prestigious Golden Prize for its outstanding commitment to sustainable development and the promotion of its equatorial forest, one of the planet’s most vital ecological treasures.

The award, presented during the BIE Day Ceremony of Prizes and Awards, honours countries that have made significant contributions to global sustainability, innovation, and environmental preservation. Gabon’s pavilion captivated judges and visitors alike with its immersive presentation of the nation’s rich biodiversity, green policies, and its vision for a sustainable future.

In a heartfelt message following the announcement, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Head of State of the Gabonese Republic, celebrated the achievement as a symbol of national pride and unity.

“Beyond the award, it is the world’s perspective that is changing,” he wrote. “It is the recognition of a people moving forward, a nation that inspires confidence, a country that rises through work, faith, and perseverance.”

President Oligui Nguema emphasised that the accolade represents not only a recognition of Gabon’s environmental leadership but also the resilience and collective spirit of its people.

“This success is not that of one man or one institution,” he continued. “It is that of a nation that believes in itself, that rises, that unites around a common ideal. We are on the right path.”

Expo 2025 Osaka, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” brings together nations to share innovations that address global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and human development. Gabon’s exhibit stood out for showcasing the value of its equatorial forest — which covers nearly 88 percent of the country, and for its leadership in carbon conservation and green economy initiatives.

The images and reports emerging from Osaka depict a Gabon on the move, proud of its cultural identity and environmental stewardship. The Golden Prize underscores the country’s growing role as a model for ecological governance and sustainable growth in Africa.

“God has given us a chance, that of writing a new page in our history,” President Oligui Nguema concluded. “Let us seize it together, with faith, determination, and fraternity.”

Gabon’s recognition at Expo 2025 is more than a symbolic victory; it represents a turning point for how the world perceives African nations in the fight for environmental justice and global sustainability.