The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
TUNISIA OVOP DAY: Roots & Wings
Republic of Tunisia
The thesis of this event is that OVOP: One Village, One Product « Isson-Ippin », a concept born in Japan in the 1980s, represents a mechanism for endogenous and decentralized development. OVOP initiatives may involve agricultural and non-agricultural products, tangible and intangible goods, traditional or innovative activities. The philosophy of OVOP is rooted in the valorization of biodiversity, local natural resources, know-how, traditions, identity, and the geo-cultural heritage of communities. OVOP Day will highlight both the Japanese and Tunisian experiences in implementing this concept.
OVOP Day will particularly explore the potential of Tunisian olive oil in its dual dimension. On the one hand, it emphasizes the roots dimension: heritage, biodiversity, territorial and cultural identity. On the other hand, it highlights the wings dimension through PIST (Partnerships in Innovation, Science, and Technology) to identify and enhance its multiple virtues, whether culinary, cosmetic, or therapeutic.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Circular economy
- Woodland regeneration
- Nature Positive
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.09.25[Thu]
18:00 ～ 20:30
(Venue Open 17:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
18:00 – 18:15 | Welcoming Remarks (05 minutes each)
• Dr. Safa JENNENE – Director, representative of CEPEX
• H.E Ahmed CHAFRA - Ambassador of Tunisia in Tokyo
• Mr. Setsuo IUCHI – President of Osaka Chamber of Commerce
• Mr. Salah HANNACHI - President, Tunisia- Japan Friendship Association: Introduction to OVOP Concept
18:15-19:15| Panel I: Concept of OVOP and uses cases (12 minutes each)
Moderator: Mr. Salah Hannachi
• Mr. So SATO - Director, Oita representation Office:
Oita, the birthplace of OVOP
• Dr. Takafumi UEDA – Senior Advisor, JICA:
Building on diversity for endogenous development through OVOP in Africa, Asia and Latin America
• Ms. Hanen ABIDI BEN AYED– Director, APIA
PAMPAT: Leveraging Biodiversity and Local Products for Decentralized Regional Development, Similarities OVOP
• Prof. Motohiro KUROKAWA - Takasaki University
Development of Kaki value chain in Ouechtata village
• Mr. Nadhir BESSAOUD - GPS TBS-Takasaki University:
OVOP for Use GPS: Gap Project and Service learning
19:15 – 20:05| Panel II: Olive Oil, A Living Heritage and A Sacred Gift of Mediterranean (10’ each)
• Prof. Hamza ESSADDAM - Member, Support Committee of Expo 2025 OSAKA (online) & Dr. Darine DOGGUI – Director, National Institute of Consumer Affairs
The Olive Tree and Olive Oil: A Blessed Gift of the Mediterranean
• Prof Hiroko ISODA - Tsukuba University:
Functional Properties of Tunisian Olive Oil: Scientific Evidence
• Prof. Mitsutoshi NAKAJIMA - Tsukuba University:
Engineering Aspects of Olive Oil Processing
• Mr. Soufiène CHARFI – Entrepreneur
“Eshmun oil: The Ancient Wisdom of Tunisia’s Phoenicians Reinvented Through Science for Modern Health”
20:05 – 20:20 | Panel III: Olive Oil: Recipes using olive oil and related rituals
• Ms. Malek LABIDI – Author : Olive Oil in Tunisian Cuisine: Recipes, Food Habits, and Sustainability
Reports
【Reflection】
The Tunisia OVOP Day: “Roots & Wings”, held on 25 September 2025 at the Theme Weeks Studio during the thematic week “The Future of Earth and Biodiversity”, was one of the key highlights of Tunisia’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka. Inspired by Japan’s One Village, One Product (OVOP) philosophy, originally born in Oita Prefecture in the 1980s, the event successfully connected Tunisian and Japanese experiences in local development, biodiversity valorization, and innovation.
Mr. Setuso Iuchi, President of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, who highlighted the importance of the Tunisian–Japanese partnership in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, delivered the day’s opening remarks.
The first panel revisited the origins and philosophy of OVOP, with insightful contributions from Mr. So Sato (Representative of Oita Prefecture), Dr. Takafumi Ueda Senior Advisor, JICA), Mrs. Hanene Ayadi Labidi (Director, APIA Tunisia), Prof. Motohiro Kurokawa (Takasaki University of Economics) and Mr Nadhir Bessaoud Nadhir made his presentation on behalf of a Tunisian- Japanese team of young students from TBS of university of Tunis and Takasaki City University of Economics. He presented their joint project to dry kaki grown in Ouechtata,Tunisia, and promote it as an OVOP product of that région.
Discussions highlighted OVOP as an effective framework for decentralized regional development, empowering local producers, promoting biodiversity-based industries, and linking traditional knowledge with modern innovation.
The second panel focused on Tunisian olive oil as a living heritage and a sacred Gift of Mediterranean symbol of biodiversity and sustainability. Renowned experts, including Prof. Hiroko Isoda and Prof. Mitsutoshi Nakajima (University of Tsukuba), Prof. Hamza Essaddam, and Dr. Darine Dogui (National Institute of Consumer Affairs– Tunisia), explored its nutritional, cosmetic, and therapeutic properties, underscoring the scientific and economic potential of this emblematic product.
The third panel, led by author Malek Labidi, offered a cultural and gastronomic exploration through her book “Tunisia’s Olive Oil: Liquid Gold”, prepared especially for Expo 2025 Osaka. The publication celebrates the history, identity, and versatility of Tunisian olive oil as both a heritage product and a driver of sustainable innovation.
Strong synergies were also underlined between Onsen Tourism, the focus of Onsen Day held on 25 June and the OVOP movement, as both emphasize community-based development, wellness, and the valorization of local natural resources. Mr. So Sato expressed his intention to support an exchange initiative between Beppu (Oita) and Korbous (Tunisia), while Mr. Takafumi Ueda (JICA) informed Mrs. Hanene Labidi of his plan to visit Tunisia. Moreover, Ms. Nami Suzuki, a Japanese Onsen owner from Beppu and partner of Dr. Kojo in Synapse Therapy, confirmed a visit to Tunisia in November 2025 to explore cooperation in wellness tourism.
Finally, a joint Follow-up and Reflection Day will be organized in Tunisia to build upon the results of both the Onsen Day and OVOP Day, gathering public, private, academic, and civil society stakeholders to expand collaboration. The presentations by Prof. Isoda and Prof. Nakajima on Tunisian olive oil will also be revisited at CEPEX during their next visit to Tunisia, scheduled for January 2026.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Building on the success and partnerships established during Tunisia OVOP Day, Tunisia aims to sustain and deepen the dialogue initiated at Expo 2025 Osaka through several concrete follow-up actions.
First, Tunisia plans to collaborate with Oita Prefecture, JICA, and Japanese academic institutions such as the University of Tsukuba and Takasaki University of Economics to adapt the OVOP approach to Tunisia’s regional context. This initiative will seek to empower local communities, promote biodiversity-based industries, and integrate traditional knowledge into innovation-driven local development policies.
A direct outcome of the exchanges in Osaka is the proposed cooperation between Beppu (Oita) and Korbous (Tunisia), focusing on wellness tourism and natural heritage valorization a continuation of the “Onsen Day” spirit and its synergy with the OVOP movement. Both initiatives share the same goal: revitalizing local economies through the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.
JICA’s Senior Advisor, Mr. Takafumi Ueda, has expressed his intention to visit Tunisia to explore cooperation prospects under the OVOP framework, particularly in connection with the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA) and CEPEX. Likewise, Ms. Suzuki, Onsen owner from Beppu and partner in the Synapse Therapy initiative, plans to visit Tunisia in November 2025 to identify collaboration opportunities in wellness and health tourism.
In addition, a Joint Reflection and Follow-up Day will be organized in Tunisia, gathering participants and stakeholders from both the Onsen Day and OVOP Day. This meeting will bring together public institutions, private sector representatives, academia, and civil society to consolidate partnerships and define the roadmap for future actions.
From a research and innovation perspective, discussions are underway between Tunisian institutions and the University of Tsukuba to launch a joint research project on the nutritional, cosmetic, and therapeutic properties of Tunisian olive oil. The planned visit of Professors Isoda and Nakajima to Tunisia in January 2026 will provide an opportunity to continue this scientific collaboration and to present their findings at CEPEX.
Finally, CEPEX intends to integrate the OVOP model into its export promotion strategy, including showcasing Tunisian OVOP products at international events, promoting the book “Tunisia’s Olive Oil: Liquid Gold” as a flagship publication, and organizing thematic seminars on biodiversity, circular economy, and innovation.
Through these initiatives, Tunisia seeks to extend the legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka and to position itself as a proactive and visionary partner in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and locally driven development inspired by Japan’s OVOP philosophy.
Cast
Speakers
Dr. Safa JENNENE
Director, representative of CEPEX
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H.E Ahmed CHAFRA
Ambassador of Tunisia in Tokyo
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Setsuo IUCHI
President of Osaka Chamber of Commerce
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Salah HANNACHI
President, Tunisia- Japan Friendship Association
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So SATO
Director, Oita representation Office
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Takafumi UEDA
Senior Advisor, JICA
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Hanen ABIDI BEN AYED
Director, APIA
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Prof. Motohiro KUROKAWA
Takasaki University
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Nadhir BESSAOUD
GPS TBS-Takasaki University
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Prof. Hamza ESSADDAM
Member, Support Committee of Expo 2025 OSAKA
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Prof Hiroko ISODA
Tsukuba University
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Prof. Mitsutoshi NAKAJIMA
Tsukuba University
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Soufiène CHARFI
Entrepreneur
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Malek LABIDI
Author
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
TUNISIA OVOP DAY: Roots & Wings
The thesis of this event is that OVOP: One Village, One Product « Isson-Ippin », a concept born in Japan in the 1980s, represents a mechanism for endogenous and decentralized development. OVOP initiatives may involve agricultural and non-agricultural products, tangible and intangible goods, traditional or innovative activities. The philosophy of OVOP is rooted in the valorization of biodiversity, local natural resources, know-how, traditions, identity, and the geo-cultural heritage of communities. OVOP Day will highlight both the Japanese and Tunisian experiences in implementing this concept.
OVOP Day will particularly explore the potential of Tunisian olive oil in its dual dimension. On the one hand, it emphasizes the roots dimension: heritage, biodiversity, territorial and cultural identity. On the other hand, it highlights the wings dimension through PIST (Partnerships in Innovation, Science, and Technology) to identify and enhance its multiple virtues, whether culinary, cosmetic, or therapeutic.
-
2025.09.25[Thu]
18:00～20:30
(Venue Open 17:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
