The UAE Pavilion has officially concluded its six-month participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, celebrating a remarkable milestone after attracting more than five million visitors, both physical and virtual, since its inauguration on April 13, 2025. The pavilion emerged as one of the most visited international exhibits, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to innovation and intercultural exchange on a global platform.
Throughout the event, the Pavilion recorded 4,930,645 on-site visitors, 113,443 online participants, and over 17,000 additional virtual attendees through the official Expo platform. These figures reflect the pavilion’s strong appeal and ability to connect with audiences in Japan and worldwide, reinforcing its role as a hub for dialogue, creativity, and collaboration.
The closing ceremony brought together the Pavilion’s team, UAE and Japanese youth ambassadors, and its four principal partners — ADNOC, Pure Health, Space42, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The event featured remarks from representatives and youth ambassadors, along with a reflective presentation encapsulating the Pavilion’s journey, message, and vision over the past six months.
Shihab Ahmed Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, emphasized that the Pavilion served as more than just an exhibition space; it was a lively platform bridging cultures and ideas, promoting a global dialogue centered on shared progress. He commended the enthusiasm of the youth ambassadors, along with the dedication of the organizing team and partners, in shaping the Pavilion’s distinctive identity.
Embodying the theme “Earth to Ether,” the UAE Pavilion’s design and experience drew inspiration from the date palm, representing the fusion of heritage and innovation. Visitors were taken on an engaging journey through interactive exhibits that showcased groundbreaking developments in space exploration, healthcare technology, and sustainability — a testament to how the UAE’s traditions continue to inspire future advancements.
In recognition of its outstanding concept and execution, the Pavilion earned the Bronze Award from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for Architectural and Landscape Design in the self-built pavilions Type A category (larger than 1,500m2). This accolade places the UAE Pavilion among the top three large-scale exhibits at Expo 2025 Osaka, highlighting its architectural excellence and innovative approach to design and cultural representation.
Over the duration of Expo 2025 Osaka, the Pavilion served as a vibrant venue for forums, cultural performances, and youth engagement programs, hosting several high-level delegations along with thousands of visitors daily. A notable highlight of its participation was the UAE National Day celebration on September 19, attended by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Gathering over 150 entities from nations, organizations, and corporations, Expo 2025 Osaka stood as a global platform dedicated to building a sustainable, human-centered future. For the UAE, the Pavilion’s successful conclusion marks another meaningful chapter in its Expo legacy — continuing a journey that began with Expo 1970 Osaka, reached a pinnacle with Expo 2020 Dubai, and came full circle with its celebrated return to Japan in 2025, reaffirming its mission to foster unity, innovation, and shared progress.
