
Emirati architect at Expo 2025 Osaka
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Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Expo 2025 Osaka: UAE pavilion welcomes 3 million visitors in major milestone
The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, has reached a significant milestone, welcoming its three millionth visitor since opening in April 2025. The achievement highlights the Pavilion's position as one of the most visited national pavilions at the global event. Shihab Alfaheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Pavilion, described the milestone as a reflection of the UAE's international appeal and its commitment to fostering dialogue and cultural exchange. 'Reaching the three million mark is a huge milestone for the UAE Pavilion. It speaks to the global resonance of the UAE's story and our shared aspirations for the future,' he said. The Pavilion, designed by the Earth to Ether Design Collective a consortium of UAE, Japanese, and international partners has received widespread acclaim for its sustainable construction and immersive storytelling. Its architecture, featuring 90 columns crafted from agricultural palm waste and inspired by the date palm, embodies a design philosophy centered on sustainability and shared purpose. Inside, visitors experience five thematic zones showcasing the UAE's advancements in space exploration, healthcare, sustainable technologies, and cultural heritage. The Pavilion also offers interactive installations, sensory designs, and daily programming that includes talks, workshops, Emirati food showcases, and live performances. The Pavilion's Youth Ambassadors have played a key role in welcoming guests and sharing stories, creating moments of cultural exchange that have resonated with international audiences. Many visitors have returned multiple times, underscoring the Pavilion's popularity and lasting impact. With Expo 2025 running until October 13, the UAE Pavilion continues to attract large crowds, reinforcing its role as a hub of creativity, dialogue, and hospitality while inviting more visitors to experience the UAE's vision for a shared, sustainable future.


Gulf Business
13 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Sandstorm Comics debuts retail presence through Kalima and Kinokuniya
Image: Supplied Abu Dhabi-based Sandstorm Comics has announced its official retail debut, making its titles available on the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center's digital platform Kalima as well as at Kinokuniya stores across the UAE. The move represents a significant milestone for the homegrown studio, which has rapidly established itself as a creative force in the regional comic book industry. The launch expands Sandstorm's reach to both local and international audiences while strengthening Abu Dhabi's growing cultural industries. The retail debut introduces four titles under Sandstorm's new children's imprint, Little Storm : Solarblader Vol.1 , Acro and The Cat , All Upon a Time , and The Foxes and the Dragon . Each title is produced by local and regional talent, reflecting the UAE's creativity and storytelling traditions. 'Since the inception of Sandstorm Comics, our vision has been to bring locally produced comic books to life and make them accessible to everyone,' said Mo Abedin, Editor-in-Chief at Sandstorm Comics. 'Today, that vision becomes a reality with our titles now available across the UAE's largest bookstores, as well as online through Kalima website and mobile application. This marks a significant milestone for the UAE's creative community, and we take great pride in sharing stories that reflect the richness and diversity of our region's culture.' The debut follows Sandstorm's recent international showcases, including New York Comic Con 2024 and Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025. With new releases planned throughout the year, the company is positioning itself to scale globally while retaining its base in Abu Dhabi. Supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Sandstorm Comics is closely aligned with the emirate's strategy to strengthen its cultural and creative industries. By prioritising original intellectual properties and promoting regional talent, the studio is reshaping the way Middle Eastern stories are presented to global audiences. For fans, Sandstorm Comics' titles are now available at Kinokuniya stores across the UAE, through


Arabian Business
13 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Hans Jagnow talks about setting a gold standard for the future of sports and esports
The New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) has emerged as a nexus for innovation, thought leadership and convergence. NGSC has quickly grown into a powerhouse gathering of global executives, visionaries and creators, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of entertainment and competition. We sat down with Hans Jagnow, director of NGSC, to understand the conference's evolution, its ambitious 2025 theme, and how it reflects the shifting dynamics of the global sport and gaming industries. 'The New Global Sport Conference has been around since 2023 and has been ever-growing,' says Jagnow. 'We started with a very exclusive platform with around 300 to 400 leaders that were coming together in Riyadh and celebrating the launch of the Esports World Cup.' That inaugural event laid the foundation, but it was only the beginning. With 1,500 confirmed guests and a nearly sold-out venue, the 2025 edition of the event is operating at full capacity. 'There's no space, which is probably the best thing that can happen to a conference a week before we are starting, right?' says Jagnow, highlighting the caliber of the attendees: 'We have hundreds of CEOs, key executives, presidents, board members and more.' What makes NGSC distinct is its format, a fusion of public stages, behind-the-scenes meetings, and cutting-edge activations. Jagnow proudly highlights new initiatives like The Foundry, a space for strategic masterclasses, and the NGSC Studio, a live broadcasting hub, which, as per Jagnow, is 'giving everyone out there a window into NGSC, into the topics that are discussed there.' The Next Game The headline theme for NGSC 2025 – The Next Game, serves both as a slogan and a challenge to the industry. 'Everyone is looking for their next game,' says Jagnow. 'What we want to focus on is how we can achieve our next game together, not only this next year, but also for the next five to 25 years.' This focus on convergence is embedded in every detail of the event, including its speaker lineup. 'If you look into our speaker lineup, there are some iconic names like Kideo Kojima, who is travelling with the acclaimed director of Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn. We have Ubisoft CEO – Yves Guillemot, Steve Bartlett and so many more,' Jagnow shares. But NGSC is not just about talks, it's about impact. Behind closed doors, strategic meetings are helping lay the groundwork for cross-industry deals. 'The incubator for that is our platform,' emphasises Jagnow. Accelerating the kingdom's vision Hosting the conference in Riyadh isn't incidental; it's strategic. NGSC plays a critical role in supporting Saudi Arabia's national gaming and esports strategy. 'Saudi Arabia is a unique place with a strong strategy underlying all its investments,' Jagnow explains. 'The NGSC as a platform is a direct accelerator of that strategy and of that ambition.' He emphasises the alignment with Vision 2030 and the country's broader goals of economic diversification. 'NGSC is a global platform to showcase the Kingdom's commitment, but also its capabilities,' he adds. Lighting the way for regional development The impact of NGSC isn't just global; it's deeply regional. 'The Kingdom shows through NGSC what are the innovations that you can achieve in the region,' says Jagnow. 'It shines a light on these markets in the Middle East and sets an example for others to follow.' He also underscores the practical benefits for local talent and infrastructure: 'It serves the fans in those countries. It enables games to be released and optimised for regional use. It enables a lot of events coming to the region.' Reflecting on the journey so far, Jagnow is visibly moved by NGSC's trajectory. 'It filled the gap of uniting the industry under one roof,' he says. 'This has always been our ambition when creating the platform.' And for him, the most rewarding moment isn't a keynote or a panel, it's what happens in the margins: 'The most rewarding feeling is quite honestly when everyone is standing in our networking area, having a mocktail and talking about what's ahead for them in the next year.' As the NGSC prepares to open its doors again, Jagnow has a clear message for attendees: 'The future of sports and esports is not separate. It's interconnected. Together we have the opportunity to set a global and a gold standard from Riyadh to the world.'