Expo Osaka 2025 officially concluded on October 13th, showcasing an impressive gathering of representatives from 165 countries and international organizations, and attracting approximately 28 million visitors to Yumeshima, a developed site in Osaka Bay. The site was transformed through a visionary masterplan and a Guinness World Record-breaking circular wooden structure crafted by Sou Fujimoto Architects. Throughout the 184-day event, attendees had the opportunity to explore modular pavilions, national exhibitions, and diverse public activities, all centered around the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The expo’s core subthemes—Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives—invited new ideas crucial to shaping both our built environments and social frameworks.
World Expos, recognized formally as International Registered Exhibitions, have served as significant platforms for nations to address pressing global issues since the inaugural Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Historically featuring monumental infrastructures like the Eiffel Tower and the Crystal Palace, this edition marked the 36th World Expo and the third held in Japan, returning to Osaka 55 years after the 1970 Expo. This year’s event aimed to establish Yumeshima as a center for international collaboration and creative architectural exploration, with Sou Fujimoto’s design emphasizing “Unity in Diversity.”
Since its establishment in 1928, the Bureau International des Expositions has organized these events around themes designed to foster education and dialogue among governments, corporations, and citizens. Expo Osaka 2025 actively engaged architectural enthusiasts and showcased how innovative technology and design solutions can tackle global challenges. During the closing ceremony in the Expo Hall – Shining Hat, BIE officials hailed this edition as “a symbol of resilience,” emphasizing the importance of “collective intelligence and international cooperation” amidst global uncertainties.
In conjunction with the closing, a BIE Day Awards Ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions throughout the Expo, recognizing recipients of the Official Participant Awards. A total of 45 awards were distributed, including four Sustainability Awards. Notably, the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion, designed by Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture, earned the Gold Award for Best Architecture and Landscape in the self-built pavilions category under 1,500 square meters.
Looking ahead, the next World Expo, Expo 2030 Riyadh, is scheduled for October 1, 2030, through March 31, 2031, under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow.” The exhibition’s master plan involves a team of advisors led by LAVA, focusing on principles of Nature-Led Urban Design, Nature-Inspired Regeneration, and Sustainable Mobility. Additionally, the upcoming Venice Architecture Biennale, concluding on November 23, 2025, has also seen significant recognition, with the Kingdom of Bahrain winning the Golden Lion for national participation.
As the global community reflects on the fruitful exchanges and innovations born from Expo Osaka 2025, optimism prevails for future collaborations that can address pressing challenges and inspire positive change.