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Web Release
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
UAE Pavilion Celebrates Two Million Visitors with a Celebration of Hope and Shared Dream
The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, today celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's ethos of shared experiences and collective hope for the future. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the Pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the Pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow.


Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates two million visitors
The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on Monday celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's ethos of shared experiences and collective hope for the future. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the Pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the Pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said, "We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow. WAM


Gulf Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates record 2 million visitors
Staff Reporter, Gulf Today The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on Monday celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's ethos of shared experiences and collective hope for the future. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the Pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the Pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow. 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. The UAE Expo Office was created with a clear purpose: to bring together people and innovations to address challenges facing humanity. Guided by the values of optimism, openness, ambition, and resilience, the Office delivers magnetic and meaningful experiences that inspire action and foster collaboration across cultures, sectors, and generations. Through curated programming and strategic partnerships, the UAE Expo Office designs environments that accelerate progress — connecting global audiences and catalysing solutions in education, healthcare, sustainable technologies, and space exploration. In doing so, it contributes mindfully to the overarching goals of each Expo, while generating distinctive value for the UAE through content, ideas, and initiatives that may not otherwise have emerged. At Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Expo Office aims to bring joy, curiosity, and collaboration to every visitor encounter. Its work is anchored in the UAE's vision for inclusive global development, and its programming will empower new thinking, shared purpose, and collective progress—from the Earth to the Ether. The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is an immersive multisensory journey through the UAE story, from our values and cultural heritage to our pioneering innovations. Our Japanese and Emirati Youth Ambassadors will welcome you to learn about our Explorers of Space, Catalysts of Healthcare, and Stewards of Sustainability, who are drawing on heritage and cutting-edge technology to tackle global challenges. Join us in accelerating collective progress towards a flourishing future for all life, from Earth to Ether. Taking design inspiration from our cherished date palm tree, we reimagined areesh, traditional vernacular architecture of the UAE. Fusing agricultural date palm waste with Japanese woodworking expertise, the pavilion bonds our two cultures in the spirit of collaboration. From our first pavilion in Expo Osaka '70, to our nation's hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, we have an enduring legacy of gathering with the world to accelerate collective progress. As we return to Osaka, discover how tradition drives progress as we push the boundaries of what is possible–drawing on our heritage to create a lasting legacy of impact. Visitors can also experience an authentic Emirati culinary experience at our restaurant, peruse a curated selection of products by UAE-based creatives at our shop, and enjoy a dynamic range of programs activated in our workshop space. The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is located in the Empowering Lives zone, near the Japanese Pavilion and Shining Hat exhibition hall. We are welcoming guests daily between 09:00 and 21:00, April 13 to October 13, during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.


The National
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
UAE pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 welcomes two millionth visitor
The UAE's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka on Monday celebrated welcoming its two millionth visitor with an event merging Japanese and Emirati tradition. The palm tree-inspired pavilion – which pays homage to the country's rich history and enterprising vision for the future – has proven a hit with international crowds since the latest world's fair opened on April 13. The UAE team marked the milestone achievement with a special event inspired by the ancient Japanese festival of Tanabata, highlighting the pavilion's significant role in cultivating cultural connections from the Middle East to the Far East. The Tanabata – or star festival – celebrates the uniting of two deities which, according to legend, are separated by the Milky Way and can meet once a year only on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It is typically marked by wishes being hung on bamboo branches. The UAE pavilion offered an Emirati twist to the festivities by instead using palm fronds as the natural canvas on which people expressed their hopes and dreams. Shihab Alfaheem, the UAE's ambassador to Japan, said the colourful event served to symbolise the deep-rooted friendship between the Emirates and Japan. 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE pavilion," he said. "This reflects the world's interest, trust and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' The pavilion's theme is Earth to Ether, which symbolises the UAE's journey towards a future guided by innovation, imagination and exploration. It seeks to tell the story of the country's work in the space sector, sustainability and health care, among other areas. The site hosts more than 40 programmes to encourage learning, collaboration and co-creation, while an on-site restaurant serves traditional Emirati food to bring national cuisine to an international audience. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the UAE's pavilion during a tour of Expo 2025 Osaka in April. 'I was impressed by the design of our national pavilion, inspired by the palm tree, which reimagines the traditional Arish – the old homes built from palm fronds and trunks. 'However, the content of the UAE Arish showcases our space projects, future initiatives in the health sector and our progress in sustainability projects. Sharing the UAE's story 'Our pavilion embodies our commitment to our authentic past and our passion for the future. Expo 2025 opened on April 13 and runs until October 13. It provides a global platform for more than 150 countries to showcase their heritage, achievements and enterprising plans for future progress. The six-month event in Japan comes after the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, the first world's fair to be held in the Middle East and North Africa, which recorded more than 24 million visits over six months. Expo 2025 Osaka attracted five million visits in its first six weeks, putting it on track to hit its 28 million target.


The National
09-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi and Japan boost investment ties with co-operation in advanced sectors
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office is expanding its international reach with key initiatives in Japan and the US, focusing on growing economic contributions and relations. Adio, which helps businesses establish their foothold in the emirate, hosted its flagship Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Tokyo on Friday, as the emirate aims to strengthen its bilateral ties and economic co-operation with the world's fourth-largest economy. 'Our strategy is clear – we are building an investment landscape that is as resilient as it is forward-looking, as globally integrated as it is locally rooted,' Shihab Alfaheem, the UAE's ambassador to Japan, said at the forum. 'By aligning our strengths, we will unlock new opportunities for growth and establish a framework for sustainable prosperity that benefits our nations and the wider global community.' Abu Dhabi and Japan are set to benefit from co-operation in "leading edge" sectors, including advanced services, hydrogen and artificial intelligence, Jasem Al Awadhi, director general of economic affairs at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, told The National. "These are all areas that we are more than happy to work together with our Japanese counterparts on ... we've been championing free and equitable trade between countries, but we also appreciate letting things grow organically," he said. Abu Dhabi and Japan have had strategic long-term relations – the UAE supplies about 40 per cent of the Asian nation's energy requirements – and the ties present opportunities to boost co-operation in other key areas, said Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer of Abu Dhabi's ADGM. "We believe that there's an opportunity here to look at other sectors ... whether it's semiconductors, AI, health care, technology and financial services – and then build deeper, stronger relationships between the two nations," he told The National. Meanwhile, Adio also announced that it is expanding the operations of its unit in San Francisco to support the global growth of Abu Dhabi's economic clusters, particularly for health technology, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Thursday. At the centre of the plan is Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine cluster (Helm), a collaboration between Adio, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Department of Health. Helm, announced at last month's Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, is projected to contribute about $25.6 billion to Abu Dhabi's economy, attract $11.5 billion in investments and unlock 30,000 new jobs by 2045. Adio's expansion in San Francisco – the home of Silicon Valley and a hotbed of the latest technologies and venture capital – will help it tap into the global multi-trillion dollar healthcare market and further position Abu Dhabi on the global innovation and regulatory stage, especially for health care and other key sectors, the Media Office said. 'By expanding our operations in San Francisco, we're not only opening new doors to Abu Dhabi's business ecosystem, we're building two-way bridges for capital, innovation and impact across multiple innovation-driven sectors,' said Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of Added. The event comes after the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan External Trade Organisation on Thursday signed an initial agreement to deepen business relations and create new opportunities for collaboration, during another the Abu Dhabi-Japan Business Connect Forum in the Japanese capital. The engagements between Abu Dhabi and Japan are also positioned to boost negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Japan, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Abu Dhabi has been focusing on diversifying its economy away from hydrocarbons, with non-oil trade growth a key part of the plan. The UAE and Japan have continued to boost collaboration, with bilateral trade growing at a compound annual growth rate of 11.9 per cent during the past five years. The Emirates' investments in Japan have more than doubled over the past five years, while it has attracted more than 80 per cent of Japanese investments in the Middle East, Mr Al Zaabi said. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between the UAE and US totalled $34.4 billion in 2024, data from the UAE embassy in Washington shows. The US exported more than $26.9 billion of goods and services to the UAE last year, which is an 8.5 per cent annually increase from 2023.