The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka officially concluded its six-month participation on October 15, celebrating cultural exchange, innovation, and international collaboration after welcoming more than 3 million visitors. The closing ceremony was led by Minister of State and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Eng. Ibrahim AlSultan, marking the end of 184 days of exhibitions, performances, and events under the theme "An Epic Journey of New Discoveries." Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Pavilion, Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, said the Pavilion embodied "a story of transformation, innovation, and cultural exchange that we shared with the world." He added that the experience symbolized the Kingdom's evolving role on the global stage and looked ahead to Expo 2030 Riyadh as "a global city of innovation and culture." Throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, the Pavilion hosted more than 700 cultural and business events, including over 150 bilateral meetings in its Collaboration Hub. Saudi National Day was celebrated with concerts, film screenings, and a grand parade attended by over 70,000 visitors. The Pavilion also introduced its "Meet Saudi" campaign to the Japanese public through a seven-city "Saudi Tours Japan" program before the Expo's launch, showcasing Saudi cuisine, music, and hospitality. Designed by Foster + Partners, the Pavilion stood as one of the largest at Expo 2025 Osaka, constructed with lightweight Saudi stone to reflect the Kingdom's architectural heritage and sustainable vision. It highlighted advances in renewable energy, technology, tourism, and space exploration, including KAUST's 3D Coral Reef Project, which received the Expo Innovation Award in Technological Innovation. The Pavilion's Irth Restaurant and Saudi Souk celebrated local craftsmanship and culinary diversity, while events such as "Her Influence," "Wonders of Arabia," and the "Saudi Vision 2030 Forum" showcased the Kingdom's cultural depth and innovation. Recognized among CNN's "Top 10 Must-Visit Pavilions," the Saudi Pavilion earned multiple awards, including Gold for Architecture & Landscape (BIE Official Participant Award), Gold in Cultural Architecture at the New York Architectural Awards, Gold for Best Large Pavilion and Best Exterior Architecture at the World Expolympics, Silver for Best Presentation for the "Tales of Water" projection show, Blue and Gold Dragon Awards for Brand Building at the Dragons of Asia Awards. With the handover of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) flag to Saudi Arabia, Expo 2030 Riyadh now carries forward the legacy of Osaka, preparing to host more than 195 countries and 29 international organizations from October 2030 to March 2031 under the theme "Foresight for Tomorrow." — SG
