Liberia’s Ambassador to Japan Calls for Global Unity at Osaka Expo 2025 

By Christian Appleton

Osaka, Japan – On September 2, 2025, Liberia’s Ambassador to Japan, Edward Wade Appleton, Jr., delivered a powerful address at the International Women’s Forum during the Osaka Expo 2025, advocating for greater unity, inclusivity, and gender equality worldwide.

Addressing a diverse audience of global leaders, dignitaries, and changemakers, Ambassador Appleton opened the gathering by celebrating the courage and resilience of women everywhere. “This gathering is more than an event; it is a celebration of ingenuity, courage, and the unbreakable spirit of women across borders, cultures, and generations,” he stated.

In a speech that received a standing ovation, the Ambassador underscored the importance of the He for She movement, framing it as a human imperative rather than solely a women’s cause. He urged men and boys to work alongside women to dismantle systemic barriers to equality. “When we stand shoulder to shoulder, when he stands for she, we unlock the power of partnership and propel society toward justice, prosperity, and sustainable peace,” he said.

Ambassador Appleton also paid tribute to trailblazing women from Japan, Africa, and Liberia, highlighting key figures such as:

• Angie Brooks Randall – the first African woman to preside over the UN General Assembly
• Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman – Africa’s first female university president
• Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Africa’s first elected female head of state
• Leymah Gbowee – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and leader of the women’s peace movement

He also recognized the contributions of market women and young leaders like Miss Liberia 2022, Veralyn Vonleh, as well as diplomatic figures such as Ambassador Queen Julie Endie and Foreign Minister Sara Beyslow Nyanti.

Ambassador Appleton concluded by calling for a future where “no woman is left behind” and every girl can reach her full potential. “Let us celebrate the tapestry of womanhood woven across continents—each thread unique, each color vibrant, and together, unbreakable,” he said.

The International Women’s Forum at Osaka Expo 2025 provided a crucial platform for dialogue and action on gender equality, reinforcing the global consensus that inclusion is not just—but essential—for progress.