The UAE Pavilion closed its six-month run at Expo 2025 Osaka, claiming the highest footfall among national pavilions. Under the theme “Earth to Ether,” it counted 5,061,088 visitors, hosted senior delegations from 73 countries, and picked up awards for design and operations. Partners such as ADNOC, PureHealth, Space42 and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi helped drive a packed programme aimed at culture, innovation and cooperation.
- UAE Pavilion says it was the most visited national pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
- 5,061,088 total visitors from 13 April to 13 October 2025
- 583 VIP visits from 73 countries, including top UAE leaders and Japan’s Princess Takamado
- The programme spanned 260 sessions across culture, sustainability, healthcare, space and diplomacy
- Won multiple accolades, including BIE Bronze Prize for Architecture and Landscape
The numbers: visitors, dates and theme
The pavilion ran from 13 April to 13 October 2025 in Osaka, presenting the UAE’s “Earth to Ether” narrative.
- 5,061,088 total visitors
- 4,930,645 in-person, 113,443 website experience, 17,000 Expo virtual
- Daily surveys reported high satisfaction scores
Across six months, the pavilion leaned on a clear proposition: connect heritage with innovation and show how collaboration moves ideas from the ground up. The figures are large, but the split between physical and digital also shows how Expo audiences now split their attention between on-site experiences and online touchpoints.
What people saw: exhibitions and programming
“Earth to Ether” blended architecture, storytelling and hands-on activations to keep dwell time high.
- Immersive exhibits linked Emirati heritage with Japanese craft
- 260 sessions with more than 270 speakers and over 68,000 attendees
- Themes: culture, sustainability, healthcare, space and diplomacy
The curation avoided a single-track show. ADNOC used the platform to discuss lower-carbon energy and tech, PureHealth focused on longevity and wellness, and Space42 highlighted satellite communications and geospatial analytics.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s cultural activations brought Al Ayyala and craft traditions such as sadu and khoos to the floor. If you follow cultural tech moves in the capital, you’ve likely seen DCT’s digital push, like the new Arabic library project on Kindle and Audible that we covered here.
Who showed up: VIPs, youth and cross-border ties
Attendance wasn’t only about volume; it was about who came and why.
- 583 VIP visits representing 73 countries
- 88 Tier-1 delegations from heads of state, ministers and senior officials
- 46 Youth Ambassadors hosted visitors and led “takeover” events
Notable guests included H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Japan’s Princess Takamado.
The Youth Ambassador programme did the day-to-day heavy lifting: explaining exhibits, guiding flows and keeping the tone human. For context on how the UAE is nurturing young talent around tech and STEM, see the A2RL student competition we reported on here.
Culture, food and retail: the softer power plays
Culture and hospitality kept the pavilion busy beyond keynotes and signings.
- 179,943 restaurant guests and more than 258,000 meals served
- Standouts included Emirati-style bento, Lamb Ouzi and Dajaj Machboos
- 61,436 retail transactions with 96,045 items sold
The hospitality stats suggest the pavilion functioned as a social hub. Programming with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) added live demos, while retail leaned on sustainable souvenirs and pieces by UAE creatives. If you’re tracking Abu Dhabi’s heritage scene, the Al Ain Museum’s recent reopening is another sign of momentum on the culture front; details are here.
Awards and outcomes: why it matters
Recognition matters because it hints at what worked and what travels to future events.
- BIE Bronze Prize for Architecture and Landscape
- World Expo Award for Best Staff
- Honourable Mention for Best Sustainable Design
- World Expolympics Bronze for Best Large Pavilion
These are not vanity plaques. Architecture and landscape awards reward design clarity and visitor flow. Best Staff reflects operations you barely notice when they work. The sustainability nod suggests material choices and energy use were thought through. Taken together, the UAE has a tested playbook for large-scale cultural showcases that balance soft power with business outcomes.
FAQs
Was the UAE Pavilion the most visited at Expo 2025 Osaka?
According to the pavilion’s own figures, it recorded the highest footfall among national pavilions, with 5,061,088 visitors over six months.
When did the pavilion run?
From 13 April to 13 October 2025.
Who were the core partners?
ADNOC, PureHealth, Space42 and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
What themes did the programme cover?
Culture, sustainability, healthcare, space and diplomacy, delivered through more than 260 sessions.
What awards did it win?
BIE Bronze Prize for Architecture and Landscape, World Expo Award for Best Staff, an Honourable Mention for Best Sustainable Design and World Expolympics Bronze for Best Large Pavilion.
