Arab News Japan
OSAKA: The BIE flag on Monday was officially lowered and handed over from the Expo 2025 Osaka to Expo 2030 Riyadh, who was represented by Ibrahim Al Sultan, Saudi Minister of State and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
After the flag was handed over, a video. titled “A Journey of Foresight,” was shown at the Osaka Expo’s closing ceremony, giving those in attendance a glimpse of what’s to come at Riyadh’s Expo.
Running from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh is set to welcome over 42 million visits from 197 countries and 29 organizations. Spanning 6 million square meters and structured around five thematic zones, the event will explore forward-looking solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will serve as a global platform for innovation and collaboration. Following the six-month event, the site will evolve into a permanent global village, leaving a lasting legacy for Riyadh, the Kingdom, and the wider world.
BIE member states elected Saudi Arabia in 2023 as host country of World Expo 2030, which will be organized in Riyadh under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
The ceremony was attended by Crown Prince Akishino, Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru, Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Expo Secretary General ISHIGE Hiroyuki, Osaka Governor YOSHIMURA Hirofumi and Bureau International des Expositions General Assembly President Alain Berger.
Opening remarks were given by Chairperson of Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition TOKURA Masakazu, who said the Osaka Expo would not have been “so successful” without all the countries and regions’ participation.
After the remarks, the Scout Association of Japan, Osaka Sumiyoshi Boys and Girls Choir raised the Japanese Flag and sang the Japanese national anthem.
YOSHIMURA Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, gave his greetings and told the audience at the closing ceremony that 28 million visitors passed through the Expo gates.
He added that he would like to see Japan host a world expo again someday.
Japan’s Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru also addressed the closing ceremony saying he recalled the concerns over the Expo before it opened. However, he said all the challenges were faced “one by one.”
Ishiba announced that he had presented the Prime Minister’s commendation to Expo 2025 Osaka’s mascot Myaku Myaku on Monday morning.
Crown Prince Akishino, Honorary President of Expo 2025 Osaka, told the closing ceremony expressed his “deep respect for all those involved in the contribution to the Expo.”
The Osaka-Kansai Expo entered its final day on Monday with crowds pouring in to view the final-day ceremonies. The Expo opened on April 13 and will be succeeded by Expos in Belgrade (2027) and Riyadh (2030).
There was also flag handovers to Belgrade, the venue for the 2027 Expo and Yokohama for the International Horticultural Expo 2027.
AloJapan.com