Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka marked a significant milestone by welcoming its 250,000th visitor on Sunday, just over two weeks after officially opening its doors. The occasion was celebrated with a special ceremony as the Pavilion continues to capture the imagination of guests from around the world.
The 250,000th guest and her family were warmly received by Shihab Al Faheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE Embassy to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and were presented with a commemorative certificate, specially selected gifts from the Pavilion shop, and a complimentary dining experience at the Pavilion’s popular Emirati restaurant.
“We are proud to welcome our 250,000th guest to the UAE Pavilion,” said Shihab Al Faheem. “This milestone reflects the Pavilion’s role as a platform for dialogue, discovery, and collaboration. We are honoured to share the UAE’s story with the people of Japan and the world as we work together towards a flourishing future for all life, from Earth to Ether,” he added.
A Journey Through the UAE's Story
Guided by the theme Earth to Ether, the Pavilion offers a compelling, multisensory journey through the UAE’s story — from its rich cultural roots to its ambitious innovations in space exploration, healthcare, and sustainability.
Drawing inspiration from the UAE’s cherished date palm tree, the Pavilion’s design reimagines traditional areesh architecture through a striking oasis of 90 soaring rachis columns, crafted using sustainable practices and Japanese woodworking expertise.
Inside the Pavilion, guests embark on a multisensory journey that shares the UAE’s national story, one of deep humanity and remarkable transformation rooted in enduring values. Throughout the experience, guests meet the people and innovators shaping the nation’s future, including the Explorers of Space, the Catalysts of Healthcare, and the Stewards of Sustainability.
The journey culminates in ‘Woven Legacies’, a powerful documentary installation that brings visitors face to face with contemporary life in the United Arab Emirates.
Since opening, the Pavilion has witnessed strong and sustained guest interest, reflecting its growing reputation as one of the most engaging national pavilions across Expo 2025 Osaka.
The UAE Expo Office serves as a national platform to convene people, ideas, and innovations in service of global progress. Incubated by the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office leads the UAE’s strategic participation at international expositions — most recently Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.