Press Release

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Accreditation Ceremony
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has achieved ISO20121 certification and held an award ceremony.
The ISO20121 certification is a globally recognised standard that specifies the requirements for an effective management system for the sustainability of an event. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan’s Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS) has been recognised for its consideration of the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the event.
A case study of sustainability initiatives being undertaken at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan was also presented at the award ceremony.

Outline of the Event
1. Name　　　　　ISO20121 Certification Ceremony
2. Time and Date  10:00 – 11:00 Thursday, 26 September, 2024,
3. Venue　　　　 Guest Conference Room, 50F, Sakishima Government Building, Osaka　(1‐14‐16 Nankokita, Suminoe, Osaka)
4. Participants　　ISHIGE Hiroyuki, Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
　　　　　　　　 Steven DU, Head of Asia Pacific, SGS
5. Agenda
① Certification ceremony
② Congratulatory address by SGS Japan Inc.
③ Address by the Secretary General
④ Introduction of sustainability initiatives at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Congratulatory comments from Steven DU, Head of Asia Pacific, SGS

Steven DU, Head of Asia Pacific, SGS

Today, as the Asia representative of SGS, I am deeply honoured to be here to celebrate the significant achievement of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, hereafter called “the Organiser of the World Expo 2025” in successfully obtaining the ISO20121 Event Sustainability Management System certification.
This certification demonstrates the profound commitment of the Organiser of the World Expo 2025 to sustainable event management, ensuring that all aspects of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan are conducted with consideration for the environment, society and economy. ISO20121 is a globally recognised standard that provides guidance on how to manage and control the impact of events on the environment, society, and economy. Obtaining this certification is no easy task, but the Organiser of the World Expo 2025 has shown extraordinary dedication and effort in pursuing sustainability.
As a certification body, SGS is proud to have been involved in part of this process. Our role is to ensure that organisations like the Organiser of the World Expo 2025 meet the strict standards set by ISO. This achievement is not just about obtaining a certificate. It sends a strong message to the world that the Organiser of the World Expo 2025 is committed to creating a sustainable future for us all. It demonstrates that it is possible to host large-scale events while minimising environmental impact and maximising social and economic benefits.
I would like to express my deepest admiration for the achievements of the Organiser of the World Expo 2025. Your efforts and dedication to sustainability are truly inspiring. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of your initiatives at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan starting in April next year.
Congratulations once again on this remarkable achievement.”

Address by Secretary-General ISHIGE

Secretary-General ISHIGE

I would like to say a few words on the occasion of the awarding of ISO20121 certification, the international standard for the sustainability of events. First of all, I would like to thank SGS Japan for conducting the certification audit.
I believe that the perspectives, awareness, and expectations regarding sustainability in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan have increased significantly from the time when Expo was held in Japan in the past. In particular, Expo 2025 is 5 years before 2030, the target year for the SDGs, and it is a great opportunity to review the progress made so far, accelerate efforts toward achieving the SDGs, and consider the future of society. I also believe that the Expo’s theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” is inseparable from the achievement of the SDGs.
At the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, we have established a Sustainability Expert Committee to consider how we can contribute to creating a world that aims to achieve sustainability through the preparation and operation of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and how we can create the sustainability of the Expo itself. The committee members, who are academic experts, have held various discussions and said that in order for the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to address sustainability, it is necessary to establish standard concepts and indicators, and in order to do this effectively and efficiently, it should adopt ISO20121 and obtain certification. In recent years, large-scale international events such as Expo 2020 Dubai and the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games held this year have been conducted with sustainability in mind and have also acquired ISO20121 certification.
By acquiring ISO20121 certification, we would like to convey to the world that Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is keenly aware of sustainability and firmly contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. Going forward, we will continue to make efforts to implement ISO20121 appropriately, and we will firmly face the issues of sustainability and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs through preparations for and management during the Expo, as well as various measures taken after its conclusion.
Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend today.

ISO20121 certification

Published by SGS Japan Inc. First registration date: 13 August, 2024

Introduction of Sustainability Initiatives

As an example of some of the sustainability initiatives at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Association introduced its Code of Sustainable Procurement for goods and services and its Human Rights Policy, the first of its kind for any world expo. As well as, its efforts to realise a decarbonised society such as the 3Rs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and measures against plastic and food waste.”