Latest news with #UAEExpoOffice
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Meet the women shaping UAE's story at Expo 2025 Osaka
Pay attention — women aren't breaking glass ceilings anymore. That metaphor is passé. Today they are writing new stories. They are shaping nations, steering corporations, redefining personal purpose, and literally taking every ounce of space once considered a male stronghold. Nowhere is this shift more visible than in the UAE, where women are not just included in the national narratives, but are entrusted with the task of telling it. Reflecting the country's faith in female leadership and competence is the presence of two women at the helm of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka — Mariam Al Memari, deputy commissioner general and pavilion director, and head of UAE Expo Office, and Shaikha Al Ketbi, deputy commissioner general and creative director. Their appointment is neither a symbolic gesture nor a coincidence that came about; it is an assertion that a nation's progressional chronicling has found new templates, designed and employed by women. For Al Memari, who leads the strategy, operations, and diplomatic vision of the pavilion, leadership is a lot more than holding hierarchy. 'It's about reimagining possibilities, challenging conventions,' she says, echoing a belief that women in leadership must hold both purpose and influence. 'As women leaders, I believe we bring a leadership style rooted in care, agility, and collaboration,' she says, emphasising how the active involvement of women fostered an environment where conversations flowed freely, differing viewpoints were valued, and choices were guided by clarity and empathy. This transformed the pavilion into a vibrant expression of UAE's identity and the ideals it wished to present to the world. Her view of empowerment is rooted in the UAE's own trajectory — a nation that, in just over fifty years, has established itself as a bridge between heritage and modernity, tradition and global interchange. Being at the forefront of such an initiative in an administrative role, especially on a stage as significant as Expo, could not have come by deliberate design. It is a calling that she responded to with an aim to excel beyond gender biases and carry out a great responsibility the leadership of the UAE placed on her; a responsibility she fulfils with both humility and determination. 'When visitors walk into the UAE pavilion and see women confidently leading, speaking, creating, and representing the country, it signals that leadership is defined by capability, vision and integrity, and not by gender,' she says highlighting the import of her endeavour. Beautifully aligned to Al Memari's principled and progressive influence at the Expo is Shaikha Al Ketbi's creative and cultural vision. An artist, architect, and cultural attaché, she brings emotional intelligence and a sense of serenity to the pavilion's design language. She doesn't call her work feminist or overtly symbolic. Instead, she speaks of 'attunement'; of allowing spaces to breathe with memory and metaphor. 'There's a quiet power in the way women hold space,' she says, and this gentle ethos runs like a thread through the pavilion — from the braid-like forms to the light that moves gently across thresholds. She is a leader who straddles two terrains. 'To me, feminine leadership in design is about being open to intuition while staying grounded in complexity. It's an ability to hold contradiction — to let softness and strength coexist,' she explains. No doubt, the pavilion is remarkable for the leadership behind it, but what enhances its significance is the intention that underpins it. The theme, 'Earth to Ether' suggests a movement from the grounded to the aspirational. It's a symbolic arc that mirrors the UAE's own evolution. Designed by the Earth to Ether Collective, an Emirati-Japanese team of creatives, the pavilion features architectural elements like datecrete (an innovation using recycled date-palm waste) and timber joinery that blends Emirati areesh (traditional form of Emirati architecture) with Japanese sensibilities. Beyond the spectacle it offers, the structure reveals vignettes of UAE's heritage through modern building forms. As an artist, Al Ketbi's voice is endearingly modest and quietly confident. She welcomes the appreciation that audiences have for the feminine poetics, intimacy and details they notice in her work, but in global settings like the Expo pavilion, what matters more to her is the cultural interface it kindles to tell the nation's story. She speaks of design as an experience of 'deeply felt moments' — not just as a visual aesthetic, but a lingering resonance. She also stresses that 'tradition is not static; it's alive, it evolves'. To her that meant, in this instance, pushing back against common stereotypes from outside and the familiar habits within to create what now stands as a hallmark of Emirati creative excellence on a world forum where designs compete to stand out and speak. Her responses to aesthetic needs are less about the materials themselves and more about the feeling they evoke. 'Sustainability isn't shouted from the rooftops; it's felt in filtered light, natural airflow, and the textures beneath your palm,' she says. In a world of ever-louder messages, the UAE pavilion in Osaka chooses to speak in hushed, deliberate tones. This sense of cultural stewardship extends to their approach to inclusivity too. Al Memari describes the all-female leadership as a logical outcome of a system that nurtures and trusts its women. 'Our presence is not just representative, it's aspirational,' she reflects. 'When young Emirati women see us here, we want them to see what's possible when imagination is matched with opportunity.' Their belief in the transformative power of visibility informs much of what the pavilion is trying to achieve. Along with hosting exhibits, it also hosts conversations. From Youth Ambassadors engaging in cultural exchange, to storytelling sessions, creative forums, and immersive zones dedicated to healthcare, sustainability, and space exploration, the pavilion acts as a mirror of what the UAE is and draws a sketch of what it wants to become. Both Al Memari and Al Ketbi resist regular binaries like tradition versus innovation, feminine versus universal, structure versus symbolism. They see leadership not as a disruption of norms but as an evolution of them. While the former talks about resilience, ambition, and authenticity as guiding values, the latter reflects on the ability to hold contradiction and evenly make space for both emotion and intellect. In their collaboration, we see a model of duality in harmony: one shaping strategy, the other sculpting sensibility. And perhaps that is the story the UAE pavilion is telling most compellingly: that cultural progress doesn't need to erase the past, only reinterpret it; that leadership isn't about decibels, but resonance; and that the future of national narratives might just lie in the hands of those who know how to braid light, memory, and meaning into a space people can walk through. Amidst the neon shimmer and centuries-old shrines of Osaka, a city where futurism locks hands with deep tradition, the UAE pavilion thus rises, echoing a similar harmony of heritage and ambition. And at the heart of it, two women are holding the pen. They are not writing merely a story of women's competence on an international arena; they are scripting what's already here, and what's more to come.
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
18-04-2025
- The National
Emirati women bring UAE pavilion to life to tell nation's story at Osaka Expo
Inside a tall glass-encased structure at the Expo Osaka 2025, Japanese families breathe in the fragrance from a hand-carved earthen incense burner inside the UAE pavilion, watched closely by the close-knit team who have brought it all to life. Young couples touch date palm reeds that stretch high above them in an oasis recreated with more than two million palm fronds, as children sit on rugs spread across the pavilion to watch as their parents brush their fingers across bold black and white threads woven on a traditional wooden loom. The team behind it is a group led by women that has worked closely with hundreds of UAE and Japanese craftspeople, woodcarvers, architects, designers and suppliers. They tell the nation's story using artefacts from iron and silver khanjars (daggers) to touchscreens that detail the UAE's progress in space exploration, sustainability and solar energy. With the title Earth to Ether, the pavilion tells of a nation proud of its heritage, whose people have sky-high ambitions. Mariam Al Memari, the head of the UAE Expo Office, speaks of the collective effort to build the pavilion using agricultural waste, discarded date palm trees and leaves in Japan. It took meticulous planning to source date palm waste from farmers in the Middle East and North Africa region, she told The National. 'What is really interesting about this participation is the UAE approach in bringing together different collaborations with partners and suppliers from Japan, the world and the UAE from design, to content to setting up the supply chains for us to actually to deliver this pavilion,' Ms Al Memari said. This is the second time the World Expo has come to Osaka. The first time the city hosted it, in 1970, 64 million people visited, making it the most-visited world's fair of the 20th century. Abu Dhabi made its debut at that fair, with a pavilion inspired by a fort in Al Ain. 'This Expo is really special for us as we started our Expo journey through Abu Dhabi's participation in 1970, and now we're back as the UAE more than 55 years later,' Ms Al Memari said. 'Now we are showcasing our leading efforts in various fields such as space exploration, health care and sustainable technology.' The massive glass walls work as an invitation, with visitors glancing into the clear structure and then walking in to explore further. 'It really feels like the UAE is saying 'welcome, you can come here and shelter'. And on days when it's been raining, a lot of people use the pavilion as a place to rest,' said Shaikha Al Ketbi, the UAE pavilion's creative director. 'We know it's physically challenging to see so many exhibitions at once and it's almost a relief when you find a place to sit. We considered that in our design to make people feel relaxed and welcome.' Handwork by artisans from both countries created the entrance pergola that uses Japanese cedar topped with a canopy of khoos, an Emirati craft of weaving dried date palms. A traditional Emirati architectural technique called areesh is fused with detailed Japanese woodwork to mould the date palm reeds into 90 columns that soar 16 metres high. 'The entire design concept is rooted in the idea of areesh but we wanted to reinterpret what areesh can look like in the future,' Ms Al Ketbi said. 'It was part of our past but how will it look in our future and how can we continue to incorporate it in buildings?' A room at the back of the pavilion has people queuing up for short workshops on sadu, khoos and talli, traditional braiding, weaving and decorative embroidery demonstrated by Emirati craftswomen. Visitors gather on chairs around a table, choose from pink, blue or gold threads, follow the steps shown by the Emirati women and listen to instructions in Japanese and English from guides. They leave with small souvenirs – keychains, bookmarks or miniature spindle replicas. Several events and workshops have been planned throughout the six-month Expo. Shamma Al Bastaki, the narrative lead, said the response from visitors was overwhelming. 'It has been so rewarding and overwhelming, in a good way, to see how people have been interacting with the exhibits,' said Ms Al Bastaki, an Emirati poet who oversees content development and strategic storytelling. 'It was always designed to be multisensory and tangible, but we didn't really expect the extent to which people would interact with each exhibit, from the scent of the oudh, to the scent of the palm on the columns.' She read a poem, From the Earthly to the Ethereal, at the pavilion opening last week. 'We want visitors to learn about the cutting edge work the UAE is doing through the content,' she said. 'The palm tree inspired the design if you see how the palm tree is rooted to the earth but reaches for the ether, for the cosmos and the stars. This reflects the UAE's journey, how it's always connected to its heritage but with sky-high ambitions when we highlight sustainability and space exploration.'
Gulf Today
09-04-2025
- Gulf Today
UAE unveils details of its national pavilion at Expo 2025
The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday unveiled the full vision for its national pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, taking place in Japan from April 13 — October 13, 2025. This was announced during a media briefing organised on Wednesday by the National Media Office. Located within the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion presents a bold vision of collective progress through its theme, Earth to Ether. This theme reflects the country's ongoing journey from its deeply rooted cultural heritage to a future driven by innovation, imagination, and exploration – bridging the physical and intangible frontiers. Reflecting on the UAE's ambition to empower all life from Earth to Ether, the Pavilion delivers a clear and compelling message. The nation is driving collective progress for humanity and the planet by advancing space exploration, reimagining healthcare and pioneering sustainable technologies. More than an architectural landmark or national exhibit, the pavilion is an invitation to collaborate. It invites the world to engage with the UAE's ideas, values and ambitions, and to explore how a country rooted in heritage is helping shape a flourishing future for all life on the planet and beyond. On this occasion, Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and Commissioner of Expo Office - UAE said: 'The UAE's participation in World Expos has consistently reflected a commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and the pursuit of collective progress.' She emphasised that the UAE Expo Office views each Expo not merely as a moment in time, but as a dynamic platform to showcase the nation's core values on the global stage, strengthen partnerships, advance sustainability, and foster deeper cultural understanding. Al Kaabi added that returning to Japan 55 years after the UAE's first participation in the Expo represents a continuation of the country's legacy of meaningful presence, reflecting its commitment to building a more inclusive and interconnected global future. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the minister affirmed that the UAE's participation in 'Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai' will centre around youth, highlighting the involvement of 24 talented Emirati youth ambassadors alongside 20 Japanese youth who are fluent in around seven languages. She explained that this distinction will play a major and effective role in ensuring the UAE's message is impactful. She expressed her eagerness to share with visitors to the UAE Pavilion in Osaka a wealth of inspiring stories about the nation's dreamers and achievers, stressing that young people have accomplished many innovations across various fields, which opens opportunities to build partnerships with the Japanese public and visitors to the pavilion at 'Expo 2025.' For his part, Shihab Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan, and Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'UAE Pavilion reflects the country's approach to shaping the future and embodies resilience, openness, and the ability to strengthen global cooperation to achieve collective progress.' He pointed out that the UAE's return to Osaka carries significant symbolic and strategic meaning, as Abu Dhabi's first participation in World Expos was at Expo 1970 Osaka. 'Today, more than 50 years later, the UAE returns with a global voice calling for cooperation and understanding achieving further progress and development.' WAM
Dubai Eye
09-04-2025
- Dubai Eye
UAE unveils bold vision for Expo 2025 Osaka pavilion
The UAE has unveiled the full vision for its national pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in Japan. Located within the Empowering Lives Zone, the UAE Pavilion presents a bold vision of collective progress through its theme, 'Earth to Ether'. The theme reflects the country's ongoing journey from its deeply rooted cultural heritage to a future driven by innovation, imagination and exploration. The pavilion delivers a message of driving collective progress for humanity and the planet by advancing space exploration, reimagining healthcare and pioneering sustainable technologies. More than an architectural landmark or national exhibit, the pavilion is an invitation to collaborate. It invites the world to engage with the UAE's ideas, values and ambitions, and to explore how a country rooted in heritage is helping shape a flourishing future for all life on our planet and beyond. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the office responsible for the UAE Expo Office, said: "The UAE's approach to World Expo participation has always been rooted in dialogue, cooperation and the pursuit of shared progress. As part of the UAE Expo Office, we see every Expo not as a moment in time, but as a platform to advance our values on the world stage — strengthening partnerships, promoting sustainability, and deepening cultural understanding." It was in Osaka in 1970 that Abu Dhabi first participated in a World Expo. More than five decades later, the UAE returns as a global voice for cooperation and progress. The longstanding partnership between the UAE and Japan has grown steadily across sectors including energy, technology, education and culture. The UAE Pavilion will welcome visitors from April 13, 2025 to October 13, 2025. Over the six-month duration, the UAE Pavilion will host opportunities for learning and collaboration through its curated calendar of more than 40 public-facing programmes. These include sustainable technology forums, healthcare dialogues, youth empowerment activities and discussions on space exploration and technological innovation that expand into Expo Osaka's thematic weeks. Designed through international collaboration, the UAE Pavilion merges traditional Emirati architecture with Japanese craftsmanship, featuring 90 towering columns made from agricultural date palm waste. Inside, visitors will experience a multisensory journey through the UAE's story, highlighting space pioneers, healthcare innovators, and sustainability leaders. Guests of the UAE Pavilion will be hosted by Emirati and Japanese Youth Ambassadors, who will guide visitors through a journey of discovery, bringing to life UAE innovations, culture, and collaborations on a global stage. Aged between 18-35, 24 Emirati, 20 Japanese, and 2 expatriates residing in Japan make up this year's cohort— between them speaking a total of 7 languages, including Japanese, English, Arabic, Korean, Tagalog, French, and Mandarin. Shihab Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said the pavilion reflects the UAE's resilience and commitment to collective progress. "It is a space where the world can come together to learn, collaborate and create new futures. As we return to the city where our Expo journey began, we carry with us not only our past but our vision for tomorrow. We thank the people of Japan for their continued friendship and look forward to six months of partnership, creativity and shared progress," he explained. The full interview with Shihab Al Faheem will be played on Dubai Eye103.8's The Business Breakfast at 7:35 AM on Wednesday, April 9.
