Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio along with other dignitaries during the World Expo 2025 held at Osaka.
DIMAPUR, JULY 10 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on July 10 delivered the keynote address at a special session of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, marking the state’s first-ever official participation in the global event.
Speaking on the theme “Investment, Tourism and Human Resource Opportunities in Nagaland”, Rio highlighted the state’s unique strengths as an emerging destination for sustainable investment and global tourism. He said Nagaland's strategic location in Northeast India—serving as a gateway to the ASEAN region—offered a compelling case for international stakeholders.
“Nagaland offers first-mover advantage across multiple sectors, from agribusiness and eco-tourism to artisanal crafts, technology and creative industries. We have instituted a strong support system backed by single-window clearances, best practices, and high implementation standards,” Rio stated.
The Chief Minister also underlined Nagaland’s high literacy rate, youthful population, and cultural richness as key enablers of growth. He assured global partners of the state’s record of safety and stability, especially its reputation for women’s security and a peaceful social fabric, describing Nagaland as an ideal destination for both tourists and investors.
The World Expo, first held in 1851, is one of the oldest and most significant international exhibitions, hosted every five years with participation from countries across the globe. The 2025 edition in Osaka, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, focuses on collaboration, technology, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Following the keynote address, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha, presented a session titled “Nagaland – The Land of Festivals: Celebrating Culture, Creating Futures.” The presentation brought to the fore the state’s vibrant ecosystem, youthful energy, and untapped economic potential.
Metha highlighted the richness of Nagaland’s ethnic mosaic, the dynamism of its youth, and the strategic policies in place to drive investment and innovation. He spoke of the internationally renowned Hornbill Festival, the state’s growing global recognition in music, arts, and sports, and the emergence of its creative economy—from gaming start-ups to film production.
He also spoke of a robust tertiary sector, abundant natural resources, and a progressive start-up ecosystem supported by state policies such as the Nagaland Start-Up Policy, Tourism Policy 2024, and UNNATI Scheme 2024. Metha further elaborated on the agriculture and allied sector, underscoring the possibilities for collaborations, technology transfer, and the vast potential of Nagaland’s skilled and talented human resources “who can bring positive contributions in multiple verticals.”
Nagaland’s delegation also included Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu. During business-to-business meetings and deliberations, Jakhalu highlighted Nagaland’s strong potential for industrial development, particularly in sectors such as food processing, agricultural technologies, and the growing start-up ecosystem. She spoke about the investor-friendly policies of the Nagaland government, the conducive environment for partnerships, and the high skill levels of the state’s human resources.
She also spoke of the vibrant, energetic, and creative youth of Nagaland, expressing confidence that their talent and innovation “can significantly contribute to the strengthening of bilateral collaborations.”
The session was attended by dignitaries from the Government of Japan, Osaka Prefecture, representatives from various country pavilions, and global corporate leaders.
