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Topics for discussion
The event consists of several presentations and lectures, discussions, and networking sessions. Main topics include the following:

1)Food security and health in the context of human history and SDGs.
2)State and future strategy of agriculture and food industries in Guinea.
3)Characteristics and potential of Fonio – an ancient grain from west Africa.
4)Toward the creation of a value chain between Guinea and Japan as a prototype of the future food system beyond SDGs.

Speakers and panelists

Currently the following speakers and panelists are expected to be present.

-Dr. Souleymane Berete, Deputy Commissioner of the Pavilion
-Kei Mizuno, CEO at SOCO Foods and Lecturer at Ritsumeikan University
-Prof. Fumito Tani, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University
-Prof. Ueru Tanaka, Faculty of Agriculture, Setsunan University

【Reflection】

The Guinea Pavilion’s programme at Expo 2025 Osaka highlighted one of the most pressing challenges of the twenty-first century: ensuring food security and human health in a world approaching a population of ten billion. Through an insightful series of presentations and discussions, the event underscored how these global concerns are inseparably linked to sustainable food production and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the world’s food systems.

The session began with remarks of gratitude from Guinean representatives towards Japan and the Expo organisers, celebrating the shared commitment to collaboration. Dr Souleymane Berete and Mr Abdoulaye Thiam introduced Guinea’s agricultural potential, describing the nation as both a “geological scandal” for its rich resources and an agricultural land endowed with fertile soil. Yet, they emphasised the paradox that, despite producing approximately 600 000 tonnes of fonio annually, Guinea remains a major importer of rice—revealing the structural gaps in production, processing, and distribution.

The programme focused on fonio, an ancient West African grain celebrated for its nutritional value, gluten-free nature, and adaptability to harsh climates. Dr Berete expressed his hope that fonio would become a “flagship product,” consumed not only across Guinea but also in Japan, symbolising a bridge between the two regions. Challenges such as limited mechanisation, poor infrastructure, insufficient market access, and low literacy rates among farmers were candidly discussed.

Speakers from Japan, including Mr Kei Mizuno and Professors Fumito Tani and Ueru Tanaka, contributed academic and technical perspectives, exploring possibilities for joint research and value-chain creation. They stressed the importance of integrating science, nutrition, and community engagement to design a new, resilient food system that could serve as a model beyond the SDGs.

Ultimately, the event demonstrated how agricultural innovation, traditional knowledge, and international cooperation can converge to foster sustainable development. Fonio emerged as both a metaphor and a practical tool for rethinking food security—uniting Africa and Japan in pursuit of healthier, more equitable, and sustainable futures.

【Post-EXPO Initiatives】

Following Expo 2025, the Republic of Guinea intends to build on the momentum generated through this collaboration with Japan by strengthening the Guinea–Japan Fonio Value-Chain Initiative. This post-Expo action plan aims to connect Guinean farmers, Japanese researchers, and private partners to improve every stage of fonio production—from cultivation and processing to distribution and market development.

The initiative will prioritise technology transfer in areas such as sustainable farming methods, small-scale mechanisation, and nutritional research. Collaborative pilot projects are planned to test innovative processing techniques that preserve fonio’s unique qualities while increasing productivity. At the same time, capacity-building programmes will target young farmers and women’s cooperatives, promoting entrepreneurship and rural income diversification.

Academic cooperation between Kyoto University, Setsunan University, and Guinean agricultural institutions will continue through joint studies on soil health, food safety, and climate-resilient crops. Public-private partnerships will be encouraged to introduce fonio-based food products into Japanese and Asian markets, contributing to dietary diversification and raising global awareness of African superfoods.

Culturally, the partnership seeks to deepen mutual understanding between Africa and Japan through gastronomy and education. Cooking demonstrations, exchange programmes, and cultural fairs are envisioned to showcase fonio as a symbol of sustainability and solidarity.

By leveraging the networks and visibility gained during Expo 2025, Guinea aims to transform its traditional grain into a global product while advancing the shared goals of food security, climate adaptation, and human health—marking a concrete legacy of the Expo’s spirit of co-creation.

SOCO Foods Co., Ltd.