BARAS, Rizal—The Masungi Georeserve Foundation has earned international recognition as a Best Practice Awardee for the World Expo 2025 Osaka. Its groundbreaking initiative, “Restoring Forgotten Watersheds Through Youth-Led Movements,” will be showcased in the “Best Practice Area” of the Future Life Village at the Expo. This honor makes Masungi’s project the sole Philippine representative among 25 esteemed awardees.
Expo 2025 Osaka, themed “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives,” highlights innovations that promote sustainability and inclusivity. Masungi’s project stood out for its commitment to rehabilitating degraded watersheds, empowering local communities, and fostering youth leadership in environmental conservation—key elements aligned with the Expo’s mission to inspire solutions for a resilient planet.
Global Recognition for Local Efforts
The initiative’s selection followed a rigorous evaluation process by a distinguished panel, including:
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)
Asakawa Chieko, CEO of Miraikan and Deputy Chairperson of the Japan Association for Expo 2025
Marianne Mensah, CEO of ClimateInnov (CIEL)
Sanduk Ruit, Founder and Medical Director of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
Masungi Georeserve’s inclusion in the World Expo underscores the critical role of grassroots environmental movements in addressing global challenges.
A Global Stage for Sustainable Innovation
Running from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the World Expo in Osaka will host countries and organizations showcasing forward-thinking ideas to tackle humanity’s shared challenges. As Japan’s third World Expo following Expo 1970 Osaka and Expo 2005 Aichi, this event reaffirms the nation’s leadership in global innovation and collaboration.
Masungi’s participation follows its recognition by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign in 2022. The non-profit organization is renowned for its conservation of the Masungi karst ecosystem in Rizal, including the restoration of over 2,700 hectares of degraded watershed areas through the Masungi Geopark Project. Beyond conservation, the foundation advances research, education, and sustainable geotourism, ensuring the preservation of natural heritage for future generations.
This achievement not only highlights Masungi’s vital work but also places the Philippines at the forefront of global efforts to design a sustainable future.
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