emirates7 - The United Arab Emirates officially opened its national pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka today, inviting the global community to explore a unique blend of heritage, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The inauguration was attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE’s Special Envoy to Japan; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State; and Shihab Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion. The ceremony welcomed guests and dignitaries from the UAE, Japan, and around the world.
The Pavilion’s architecture draws inspiration from the UAE’s iconic date palm tree, combining traditional areesh building techniques with sustainable materials — specifically agricultural date palm waste — and Japanese craftsmanship. Its most distinctive element is a “forest” of 90 towering rachis columns, each up to 16 meters high. Designed by the Earth to Ether Design Collective — a collaborative group of Emirati and Japanese creatives — the Pavilion stands as a symbol of global unity and innovation.
Inside, visitors are taken on a multisensory journey highlighting the UAE’s achievements in space exploration, healthcare, and sustainability through immersive media, interactive art, and curated interior design.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said, “At Expo Osaka, we’re proud to showcase how the UAE turns vision into action — from expanding clean energy access to investing in technology, advancing human potential, and enabling sustainable industrial growth. In partnership with Japan and the global community, we aim to shape a future that is inclusive and resilient.”
Noura Al Kaabi added, “Our presence at Expo 2025 Osaka continues the UAE’s tradition of engaging with the world through platforms that foster collaboration and shared progress. Returning to Osaka is especially significant, as Abu Dhabi’s first World Expo participation took place here in 1970. The Pavilion reflects both our heritage and the forward-looking path we are taking as a nation.”
Shihab Al Faheem emphasized, “This Pavilion is more than an exhibit — it’s a space for meaningful dialogue and lasting cooperation. We are honored to present our story in Osaka and to deepen the longstanding UAE-Japan relationship, built on over 50 years of shared vision and respect.”
A Legacy of UAE-Japan Friendship
The UAE and Japan enjoy a deep-rooted strategic alliance that spans more than five decades, with collaboration across energy, trade, education, culture, space, and technology. Abu Dhabi’s participation in Expo ’70 in Osaka marked a pivotal moment in bilateral ties, which continue to flourish. The current Pavilion extends this history through interactive experiences and shared programming.
Emirati Youth Ambassadors at the Heart of the Pavilion
Central to the Pavilion’s experience are the Emirati Youth Ambassadors. Of the 46 Youth Ambassadors selected for Expo 2025 Osaka, 24 are Emirati, working alongside 20 Japanese peers and two Japan-based team members. Fluent in seven languages — Arabic, Japanese, English, Korean, Tagalog, French, and Mandarin — these ambassadors guide visitors through the Pavilion’s themes and stories, reflecting the UAE’s values of openness, ambition, and cooperation.
Strategic Partners Supporting National Vision
The Pavilion is backed by key partners aligned with the UAE’s strategic priorities: ADNOC, leading in global energy solutions; Space42, at the forefront of space and AI integration; PureHealth, committed to healthcare innovation; and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), dedicated to preserving and promoting Emirati heritage. Their support amplifies the Pavilion’s reach and relevance.
##A Hub for Cultural and Creative Programming
Over the next six months, the Pavilion will host a dynamic lineup of events including forums, workshops, and cultural initiatives centered on sustainability, mobility, innovation, and youth empowerment. Visitors can also enjoy Emirati cuisine at the Pavilion’s restaurant, explore locally crafted goods at the concept store, and participate in hands-on creative workshops.
Located in the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion will welcome visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until 13 October 2025.
The inauguration was attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE’s Special Envoy to Japan; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State; and Shihab Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion. The ceremony welcomed guests and dignitaries from the UAE, Japan, and around the world.
The Pavilion’s architecture draws inspiration from the UAE’s iconic date palm tree, combining traditional areesh building techniques with sustainable materials — specifically agricultural date palm waste — and Japanese craftsmanship. Its most distinctive element is a “forest” of 90 towering rachis columns, each up to 16 meters high. Designed by the Earth to Ether Design Collective — a collaborative group of Emirati and Japanese creatives — the Pavilion stands as a symbol of global unity and innovation.
Inside, visitors are taken on a multisensory journey highlighting the UAE’s achievements in space exploration, healthcare, and sustainability through immersive media, interactive art, and curated interior design.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said, “At Expo Osaka, we’re proud to showcase how the UAE turns vision into action — from expanding clean energy access to investing in technology, advancing human potential, and enabling sustainable industrial growth. In partnership with Japan and the global community, we aim to shape a future that is inclusive and resilient.”
Noura Al Kaabi added, “Our presence at Expo 2025 Osaka continues the UAE’s tradition of engaging with the world through platforms that foster collaboration and shared progress. Returning to Osaka is especially significant, as Abu Dhabi’s first World Expo participation took place here in 1970. The Pavilion reflects both our heritage and the forward-looking path we are taking as a nation.”
Shihab Al Faheem emphasized, “This Pavilion is more than an exhibit — it’s a space for meaningful dialogue and lasting cooperation. We are honored to present our story in Osaka and to deepen the longstanding UAE-Japan relationship, built on over 50 years of shared vision and respect.”
A Legacy of UAE-Japan Friendship
The UAE and Japan enjoy a deep-rooted strategic alliance that spans more than five decades, with collaboration across energy, trade, education, culture, space, and technology. Abu Dhabi’s participation in Expo ’70 in Osaka marked a pivotal moment in bilateral ties, which continue to flourish. The current Pavilion extends this history through interactive experiences and shared programming.
Emirati Youth Ambassadors at the Heart of the Pavilion
Central to the Pavilion’s experience are the Emirati Youth Ambassadors. Of the 46 Youth Ambassadors selected for Expo 2025 Osaka, 24 are Emirati, working alongside 20 Japanese peers and two Japan-based team members. Fluent in seven languages — Arabic, Japanese, English, Korean, Tagalog, French, and Mandarin — these ambassadors guide visitors through the Pavilion’s themes and stories, reflecting the UAE’s values of openness, ambition, and cooperation.
Strategic Partners Supporting National Vision
The Pavilion is backed by key partners aligned with the UAE’s strategic priorities: ADNOC, leading in global energy solutions; Space42, at the forefront of space and AI integration; PureHealth, committed to healthcare innovation; and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), dedicated to preserving and promoting Emirati heritage. Their support amplifies the Pavilion’s reach and relevance.
##A Hub for Cultural and Creative Programming
Over the next six months, the Pavilion will host a dynamic lineup of events including forums, workshops, and cultural initiatives centered on sustainability, mobility, innovation, and youth empowerment. Visitors can also enjoy Emirati cuisine at the Pavilion’s restaurant, explore locally crafted goods at the concept store, and participate in hands-on creative workshops.
Located in the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion will welcome visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until 13 October 2025.