UAE Unveils Vision for National Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates officially unveiled its full vision for the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai during a media briefing organized by the National Media Office. The six-month global exposition will take place in Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Located in the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion carries the powerful theme “Earth to Ether,” reflecting the nation’s journey from its rich cultural heritage to a future driven by innovation, imagination, and exploration. It aims to position the UAE as a force for collective human progress through advancements in sustainability, healthcare, and space exploration.
A Pavilion of Purpose and Partnership
H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State and Commissioner of the UAE Expo Office, emphasized that the UAE’s participation in world expos has consistently reflected a deep commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and progress.
“The UAE Expo Office sees every expo as more than a moment — it’s a platform to express our national values, strengthen global partnerships, and showcase sustainable innovation,” Al Kaabi stated.
She highlighted that the 2025 participation marks 55 years since the UAE’s first presence at Expo 1970 in Osaka, making this return both symbolic and strategic. At the heart of this edition will be youth empowerment, with 24 talented Emirati youth ambassadors and 20 multilingual Japanese counterparts set to serve as cultural connectors throughout the exposition.
A Living Symbol of Innovation
The UAE Pavilion’s architecture and narrative are collaborative expressions of Emirati heritage and Japanese craftsmanship. Inspired by the iconic date palm, the pavilion features 90 towering rachis columns—reaching up to 16 meters—that reinterpret areesh, a traditional Emirati building technique, using agricultural waste materials and Japanese woodworking mastery.
Shihab Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner-General of the Pavilion, described it as “a symbol of resilience, openness, and global cooperation.” He added, “Our return to Osaka after more than 50 years reflects the UAE’s enduring vision of unity, sustainability, and future-forward innovation.”
Al Faheem also noted the strong strategic and economic ties between the UAE and Japan, with non-oil trade reaching AED 64 billion in 2024, marking a 32% increase from the previous year.
Leadership and Programming
Supporting the pavilion’s mission, the UAE Expo Office appointed Mariam Al Memari and Shaikha Al Ketbi as Deputy Commissioners-General to work alongside Al Faheem in crafting an impactful national narrative and global engagement strategy.
Over six months, the UAE Pavilion will host more than 40 curated public programmes, including forums on sustainable technology, healthcare innovation, youth leadership, and space exploration. These events will align with Expo Osaka’s thematic weeks and amplify the UAE’s message of inclusive, collaborative innovation.
A highlight of the pavilion’s presence will be UAE National Day, celebrated with cultural showcases, performances, and diplomatic engagements, positioning the UAE as a global convener and a nation committed to shared prosperity and cultural understanding.
Official Partners and Global Collaboration
The Pavilion is supported by leading UAE institutions including ADNOC, PureHealth, Space42, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Together with Japanese and international partners, the Pavilion’s development exemplifies the spirit of global co-creation and sustainability.
As Expo 2025 Osaka approaches, the UAE’s national pavilion stands as a beacon of vision, youth empowerment, innovation, and international cooperation, promising to leave a lasting impression on the global stage.
