There was a beautiful continuity to it. The UAE first participated in a World Expo in 1970 when Abu Dhabi had its own pavilion, and that Expo too was held in Osaka. Many who had visited that first pavilion returned to ours this year. Some were school-children in 1970 and came back 55 years later, recalling what they saw as children and marvelling at how far the UAE had come. Watching them rediscover our story was deeply moving. It felt as if two generations of history were meeting in one space.
A connection beyond architecture
During those six months, thousands of visitors returned again and again. Some came back as many as 40 times, forming a connection that went beyond architecture or exhibitions. The Pavilion had become a bridge of emotion and meaning, a place where curiosity met warmth and friendship.
Cultural experiences added to that sense of belonging. Performances, creative exchanges and community events brought the pavilion to life, transforming it into a living reflection of the UAE’s identity, diverse, inclusive and future-focused. Each day offered something new, yet everything stayed true to the pavilion’s essence: connecting people through shared humanity.
A journey through stories and updates
What touched me most was how this story reached home. Friends, colleagues and family in the UAE would send messages, photographs and news clippings about the pavilion. They followed our journey through media stories and social updates, living each moment with us from afar. Every message reminded me that while we were telling the UAE’s story in Osaka, our people were feeling it deeply in their hearts back home.
The final day of the Expo, October 13, will remain etched in my memory. Even after the pavilion officially closed, visitors lingered outside, waiting to express their gratitude. They applauded our staff as they stepped out for the last time, clapping and waving in farewell. It was a moment of genuine emotion that spoke of friendship, respect and shared humanity. That evening, the short drive back home felt like the longest journey I had taken. For all of us who worked there, leaving the pavilion was like saying goodbye to a part of ourselves.
Fulfilling experience
Serving as the Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 has been the most fulfilling experience of my career. It was not only about representing a nation but about sharing a vision, one of progress rooted in traditions, innovation guided by purpose and connection shaped by empathy.
As I look back, my heart is filled with gratitude. To our wise leadership for their vision and trust. To my colleagues and partners for their tireless dedication. To the people of Japan for their warmth and friendship. And to every visitor who walked through our doors and carried a piece of the UAE with them.
The pavilion may have closed its doors, but its story lives on. It lives in every smile shared, in every bond formed and in every conversation it inspired. From Earth to Ether, the UAE’s story continues, a story of connection, compassion and the belief that progress is most powerful when it brings the world together.
AloJapan.com