June 22, the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) participated in Expo 2025 Osaka with a compelling event titled “ONE HEALTH – From Food to Longevity: Scientific Approaches to Health and Sustainability” .
Hosted under clear Japanese skies, the gathering explored the vital interconnections between nutrition, biodiversity, and human well-being, showcasing Italy’s pioneering approach to the One Health paradigm.
The event was headlined by Luigi Fiorentino, president of the NBFC, and Isabella Saggio, coordinator of Spoke 7 at the Centre.
In their presentations, Fiorentino and Saggio emphasised how the richness of nature underpins food systems and, ultimately, longevity.
They conveyed a straightforward yet profound message: preserving biodiversity is not only an ecological necessity, but also a prerequisite for public health and sustainable development.
One of the most innovative features was the virtual tour of the Elogio della Diversità (In Praise of Diversity) digital exhibition, which was presented via the immersive Bioverso installation.
Participants were immersed in a multi-sensory universe that presented biodiversity not just as a scientific concept, but as an interconnected tapestry of nature, culture, and health. The experience took them through vibrant ecosystems, ancestral agricultural practices and stories of nutritional diversity, demonstrating how these intertwined elements support the resilience of our food and health systems.
After the virtual showcase, attendees joined a curated tour of the Italian Pavilion at Expo. As part of the broader exhibition, the pavilion showcased physical artefacts from Elogio della Diversità, which reinforced the immersive digital narrative with tangible examples.
This blend of virtual and physical elements created a strong emotional impact, prompting visitors to contemplate the fragility and wonder of the biodiversity that sustains us.
Overall, the NBFC’s presence in Osaka achieved more than just exhibiting research; it told a story. It wove together the themes of science, tradition and innovation to convey the message that biodiversity is life and that our food and health systems are inextricably linked to it.
By holding the event at a global expo, it reached a wide international audience, raising awareness and inspiring stewardship.
Moreover, the One Health approach had significant communicative power. It brought together researchers, policymakers, consumers and the public from various fields, including agriculture, medicine and ecology, around a shared agenda.
This interdisciplinary approach not only emphasised Italy’s global leadership in biodiversity science. It also signalled a call to action, highlighting the importance of safeguarding diverse ecosystems in order to nurture longevity and build a sustainable future for all.
As a means of communication, this event operated on multiple levels. It educated attendees through scientific insight, engaged them through immersive technology and motivated them through sensory connection.
By embedding the digital innovation Bioverso within the physical space of Elogio della Diversità at the Pavilion, NBFC transformed abstract concepts into a tangible experience.
Visitors left not only with information, but also with a feeling. That the next bite of food, the next breath of clean air and the next generation all depend on the tapestry of life we choose to protect.
In summary, the NBFC’s showcase at Expo 2025 Osaka vividly and coherently affirmed the centrality of biodiversity to health and sustainability.
Demonstrating how research can be transformed into powerful public engagement, it offered a model rooted in storytelling, sensory immersion and cross-sectoral collaboration for communicating the urgency of our ecological era.