Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
Respecting the Past to Design the Future
Australia
Join us to mark the opening of Te Aratini Indigenous Peoples
Week at the Australia Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka.
This event will explore the opportunities for building a
future society from the lens of Indigenous knowledges and
expertise.
The program will feature perspectives from: Australia’s
inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People, Mr Justin
Mohamed; Aotearoa’s Kaihautū of Te Aratini, Mr Ngahiwi
Tomoana; and Canada’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, His
Excellency Keith Smith.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Diversity and inclusion
- First Nations
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | English |
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Track Programme
-
Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.08.04[Mon]
11:00 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 10:45)
-
- Venue
- Pavilion
- Australia Pavilion
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear
icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping
audio.
Reports
【Reflection】
This event explored opportunities for building future
societies through the lens of Indigenous knowledge and
expertise, featuring perspectives from Australia, Aotearoa New
Zealand and Canada. It marked the opening of Te Aratini
Indigenous Peoples Week at the Australia Pavilion at World
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People Mr
Justin Mohamed highlighted the importance of traditional
knowledge in creating a future society, and the role of
Indigenous diplomacy in the context of a First Nations
approach to foreign policy.
Mr Ngahiwi Tomoana, Kaihautū of Te Aratini; Ambassador of
Māori Culture, reflected on Te Aratini’s leadership in
bringing together Indigenous Peoples Week beginning at World
Expo 2020 Dubai, and then at Expo 2025 Osaka. Mr Tomoana
shared reflections on the significance of the international
gathering of Indigenous peoples.
Canada’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency
Keith Smith, reflected on his journey as a member of the
Thessalon First Nation, a signatory to the Robinson Huron
Treaty. He shared perspectives on Indigenous leadership in
international diplomacy and the multilateral system drawing on
his expertise in human rights and justice.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Te Aratini Indigenous Peoples Week was first held at World
Expo 2020 Dubai and continued at Expo 2025 Osaka. The week
brought together Indigenous peoples from around the world for
dialogue and exchange on the global Indigenous economy, trade
and investment, intellectual property, and culture and
language preservation.
Expo 2025 Osaka provided a global platform for collaboration
and an opportunity for Te Aratini to look forward to possible
opportunities post Osaka Expo to continue Indigenous Peoples
Week at Expo 2030 Riyadh.
Cast
Moderator
Ms Nancy Gordon
Executive Director and Commissioner General for Australia, World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai
She is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously been Assistant Secretary of the Northeast Asia Branch, and the China Economic and Engagement Branch. She has also been Consul General, Chengdu, China, and Counsellor, Public Diplomacy, Australian Embassy in Tokyo.
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Speakers
Mr Justin Mohamed
Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
He is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland. Mr Mohamed has a strong connection to community having worked for decades in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, as well as in the government and corporate sectors, on issues spanning health, social justice and reconciliation. Mr Mohamed was previously Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Justice in the Victorian Government, Australia.
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H.E. Keith Smith
High Commissioner for Canada in New Zealand
He has held various positions within Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, including as director of Intergovernmental and International Relations. Has previously been the director of Policy, Research, and International at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and also worked for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada as the Director of Policy. He joined Justice Canada in 2021 as the Director General of the UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat. He is a member of the Thessalon First Nation, a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty.
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Mr Ngahiwi Tomoana (Ngāti Kahungunu – Ngāti Hawea, Ngāti Hori; Samoan)
Kaihautū of Te Aratini, Ambassador of Māori Culture, and an Expert in Māori Trade and Economic Development
He has spent his life advancing hapū and iwi development, both in Aotearoa and on the global stage. He is recognised for his breadth and depth of expertise across all domains of te ao Māori. He is the former Chair of Pou Tāhua, the Iwi Chairs Forum's trade and economic development group, and continues to lead its work as the Forum’s mandated representative on Trade & Economic Development. He also served as Chair of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated for 26 years.
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Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
Respecting the Past to Design the Future
Join us to mark the opening of Te Aratini Indigenous Peoples
Week at the Australia Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka. This
event will explore the opportunities for building a future
society from the lens of Indigenous knowledges and
expertise.
The program will feature perspectives from: Australia’s
inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People, Mr Justin
Mohamed; Aotearoa’s Kaihautū of Te Aratini, Mr Ngahiwi
Tomoana; and Canada’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, His
Excellency Keith Smith.
-
2025.08.04[Mon]
11:00～12:00
(Venue Open 10:45)
- Pavilion
OTHER PROGRAM
Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
