EXPO 2025: Nordic health solutions find their way to Japan
Sundhedsminister Sophie Løhde på EXPO 2025
The Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, represented by the Minister for Health, Kaisa Juuso, opened the Nordic Health and Life Science Days in the Nordic Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan. In her opening speech, the minister highlighted the strength of One Health. One Health is the name given to Nordic co-operation on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which focuses on the threat posed by the global spread of AMR to humans and animals, and recognises the links between human health, animal health, and the environment. She also stressed the competitive advantage Nordic companies enjoy by being global leaders in data, digitalisation, and innovation in the health sector.
The Nordic prime ministers set the bold and ambitious goal of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030, a vision that guides all the work done by official Nordic co-operation. In the health sector, the high quality of Nordic data is an competitive advantage at international level and an important resource for the Region and its national health services. Digitalisation and innovative solutions form a solid foundation for working together on health and social affairs.
Nordic Proof
In addition to the many presentations by companies such as Novo Nordisk from Denmark, guests from the Japanese ecosystem were introduced to Nordic Proof. Nordic Proof is a network of partners from established institutions and testing sites in the Nordic healthcare sector that conducts tests of the quality of healthcare professionals’ ideas and products during the development phase. Nordic Proof is funded by Nordic Innovation.
Shared challenges
The Danish Minister for Health, Sofie Løhde, also attended the event. She stressed that Japan and the Nordic Region have several common denominators in terms of challenges and values. Both have ageing populations, growing numbers of people suffering from chronic diseases, low birth rates and high demand for healthcare professionals. The two are also similar in terms of values, for example, when it comes to trust, respect and transparent co-operation.
About Nordic Health and Life Science Days
Nordic Health and Life Science Days was organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers in close collaboration with business development agencies from the Nordic countries. The Council of Ministers is a partner in the Nordic Pavilion at EXPO as part of its work to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the Nordic Region. Nordic Health and Life Science Days is the third in the series of Joint Nordic Days hosted by the Nordic Council of Ministers at EXPO 2025. Other themes in the coming months will include literature, gender equality, regional development and the Arctic.
