Dunkerque and its port will embody French excellence during the “Sustainable Cities and Ports” themed fortnight at the France Pavilion, running from 16 to 31 May 2025.
With a coalition of local representatives (Greater Dunkerque Urban Council, the Port of Dunkerque, ÉcosystèmeD (a body supporting local development and the green transition), the Office de Tourisme et des Congrès (Conference and Tourist Information Service) and the Agence d’Urbanisme (Urban Planning Agency)), the Dunkerque region will be showcased at the France Pavilion from 16 to 18 May 2025, in a dedicated event space named “Spirit of Dunkerque”.
This space will take visitors on an immersive sensory journey into Dunkerque’s culture. Through interactive experiences, they will discover the flavours, landscapes and traditions of Dunkerque, while also learning about the region’s economic assets and tourist highlights.
Dunkerque will also be holding a series of conferences and meetings focused around the “Dunkerque Model”, running from 16 to 18 May 2025. Over the course of three days, a series of events will showcase the various aspects of Dunkerque’s industrial and economic revolution. Local and international experts will discuss (both in person and remotely) Dunkerque’s decarbonisation strategy, its economic development, its urban transformation and its rich heritage. These discussions will give the public a comprehensive picture of the region’s ambitions and successes.
« Dunkerque’s involvement in the France Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka constitutes international recognition of the major transformations undertaken in this region over the last ten years. Whether it’s our industrial models, day-to-day transport or our urban and social approach, Dunkerque is now an innovations laboratory, where we are building the city and industry of tomorrow, for everyone’s benefit. Named by the World Economic Forum as one of the 20 cities that can “save the world”, Dunkerque will share its expertise and its solutions for a sustainable future at the France Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka. »
Patrice VERGRIETE Chair of the Greater Dunkerque Urban Council
« The Port of Dunkerque is proud to partner with the Greater Dunkerque Urban Council at Expo 2025 Osaka, in order to spotlight the collective work undertaken over the past ten years to decarbonise all aspects of the port ecosystem, including the maritime, land, logistics and industrial components. Together, we are building the biodiversity-friendly port of tomorrow, which is leading the way in reducing the effects of climate change, and is firmly rooted in the region in order to improve quality of life for local residents. This involvement is also a unique opportunity to strengthen our ties with Japanese economic operators, whether they’re active in industry, transport or logistics. »
Maurice GEORGES Chairman of the Board of the Port of Dunkerque
« The France Pavilion is delighted to welcome Dunkerque as a partner for the “Sustainable Cities and Ports” themed fortnight. With its Urban Council and its Port, this region has for many years been pursuing a large-scale green transition and low-carbon reindustrialisation that have been welcomed by Japanese businesses. As Japan invites the entire world to Osaka to “design[...] future society for our lives”, Dunkerque’s presence in Osaka makes complete sense and helps to boost our country’s influence. »
Jacques MAIRE President of COFREX and General Commissioner of the France Pavilion
About the Greater Dunkerque Urban Council:
The Greater Dunkerque Urban Council is an intercommunal structure located in the Nord département, in the Hauts-de-France region. It is made up of 17 communes and has a population of 200,000. It has been chaired by Patrice Vergriete since 2014.
This rapidly transforming region is Europe’s leading energy hub, helping to develop a low-carbon industrial zone that sets a global standard. The Dunkerque region is breaking new ground in green reindustrialisation, with the creation of 20,000 jobs in the next 10 years and the emergence of an ecosystem built around electric transport, acting as the gateway to Hauts-de-France’s “Battery Valley”. Making innovation a key focus of its action, Dunkerque has embedded social, economic and environmental issues within its development and its operations. The Greater Dunkerque Urban Council is inventing the city of tomorrow, with future-facing housing, public facilities and transport, having notably become the largest European metropolitan area to introduce free transport.
About the Port of Dunkerque
Dunkerque is France’s leading port complex, working in partnership with other maritime ports in the Hauts-de-France region. Its ecosystem now includes many maritime, logistics and industrial activities, with a commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The port is Europe’s leading energy hub, and is becoming more sustainable and more resilient. The development of a Europe-leading low carbon industrial zone illustrates this perfectly, achieved through decarbonising existing industrial processes, the circular economy and green reindustrialisation, which has been pioneered by the Dunkerque region. With its ecosystem built around electric transport, the Port of Dunkerque sits at the heart of Hauts-de-France’s “Electric Battery Valley”. Its innovative solutions platform, combined with its increased capacities in container and logistics activities and its multimodal transport network, is creating new opportunities for the region. In total, the port generates an annual added value of 3.8 billion euros, with a total of 29,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs. By 2030, new developments underway in the industrial and port sector will have helped to create 20,000 additional jobs.
Copyright de la photo : ©PierreVolot/cud