UAE Pavilion opens its doors to the world at Expo 2025 Osaka

Osaka, Japan, April 13, 2025: The United Arab Emirates today marked the opening of its  national pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, welcoming the world to an experience that brings  together heritage, innovation and interdisciplinary global collaboration.

The Pavilion was inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE  Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy of the United Arab  Emirates to Japan, Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, UAE Ministry of Foreign  Affairs, and His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary  of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka,  Kansei, along with dignitaries and guests from the UAE, Japan and the world.

Drawing design inspiration from the UAE’s iconic date palm tree, the pavilion reinterprets  areesh – traditional Emirati vernacular architecture–by integrating agricultural date palm  waste with masterful Japanese woodworking expertise. The pavilion’s signature feature is its  striking forest of 90 rachis columns, soaring up to 16 meters.

Created by the Earth to Ether  Design Collective – an interdisciplinary network of Emirati and Japanese creatives, the  pavilion is a testament to integrated, global collaboration.  

Inside, visitors embark on a multi-sensory journey that celebrates the UAE’s explorers  of space, catalysts of healthcare, and stewards of sustainability through immersive  multimedia, art installations, and thoughtful interior design.  

In her remarks, Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi said: “Our participation in Expo 2025  Osaka is a continuation of a long-standing engagement with the world through platforms  that encourage dialogue, collaboration and shared progress. It is particularly meaningful to  return to Osaka, where Abu Dhabi first took part in a World Expo in 1970. The UAE Pavilion  reflects not only who we are but also who we are becoming, as a nation rooted in its  heritage and guided by the possibilities of the future.”

His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem added: “The Pavilion is more than a showcase; it is a  platform for meaningful exchange and enduring partnership. We are proud to bring this  story to Osaka and to deepen the special relationship between the UAE and Japan — one  that spans more than five decades and continues to grow through shared ambition and  mutual respect.” 

A Story of Bilateral Friendship  
Rooted in shared values, the UAE and Japan share a long-standing strategic partnership,  spanning over 50 years,–with cooperation across energy, trade, education, culture, space,  and technology. Abu Dhabi’s first participation at Expo ‘70 in Osaka marked a historic  milestone in blossoming relations between the UAE and Japan. More than five decades  later, we return to Osaka with a collective design approach that reaffirms our enduring  collaboration between the UAE and Japan.This Pavilion continues this dialogue through  multisensory experiences, and collaborative programming. 
 
Emirati Youth Ambassadors: Bringing the UAE Pavilion to Life  
At the heart of the UAE Pavilion are the Emirati Youth Ambassadors, proudly carrying the  spirit of the nation and bringing its story to life on the global stage. Of the 46 Youth  Ambassadors at Expo 2025 Osaka, 24 are Emiratis, guiding guests through the UAE’s  innovations, heritage, and global partnerships. Alongside their 20 Japanese and two Japan based peers, and fluent in seven languages — Arabic, Japanese, English, Korean, Tagalog,  French, and Mandarin — they transform every visit into a moment of genuine connection and  discovery. Together, this passionate team embodies the values of openness, ambition, and  partnership that define the UAE.

Commercial Partners Reflecting National Priorities  
Reflecting the UAE’s national priorities and future-facing sectors, the Pavilion is supported  by visionary partners: ADNOC, a global leader in energy; Space42, representing ambitions  at the intersection of space and AI; PureHealth, advancing healthcare and longevity; and the  Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) safeguarding culture  and heritage,. Their involvement strengthens the Pavilion’s presence and outreach.

Programming and Public Engagement  
Over the next six months, the Pavilion will host a dynamic range of events, including forums,  workshops and cultural programmes focused on sustainability, mobility, youth, and  innovation. Visitors can also explore Emirati cuisine at the pavilion restaurant, a concept  store featuring UAE-based creatives, and diverse workshop space. 
The UAE Pavilion, located in the Empowering Lives Zone at Expo 2025 Osaka, is open to  the public daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until October 13, 2025.