STAFF REPORTER
Thimphu
The World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, was officially inaugurated on 12 April 2025 with the opening ceremony graced by their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, as well as Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, along with representatives from participating countries, dignitaries from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Expo organizers, and international delegates, also attended the event.
The Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, indicated: “I look forward to the Expo serving as a catalyst for achieving “unity in diversity”. I strongly believe that interactions amongst visitors from around the world and Japan, inside and outside the symbolic Grand Ring, will be of vital importance towards this goal.”
Bhutan was represented at the inauguration by the Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) and accompanied by representatives from the Department of Trade, Department of Tourism, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the private sector.
The Expo 2025 will focus on the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, a space where 8 billion people from around the world will actively participate in co-creating our future society. With participation from over 158 countries, regions and international organizations, the Expo will feature cutting-edge innovations, exhibits and knowledge-sharing sessions. The aim is to bring together diverse perspectives, foster collaboration and generate innovative solutions to address global challenges. Over 28 million visitors are expected to attend during the course of the event.
At the invitation of the Government of Japan, Bhutan is participating in Expo 2025 under the national theme “Saving Lives for a Happy Future.” The Bhutan Pavilion, located in Commons-D of the Expo site, will showcase its unique approach to development through five key themes aligning with the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) – Happy Future, Promotion of Good Governance, Preservation and Promotion of Culture, Environmental Conservation, and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development. Each theme will be showcased through immersive exhibits, videos, events and interactive activities. These elements will come together to tell a cohesive story, offering visitors a meaningful glimpse into Bhutan’s distinctive approach to development.
The Expo provides an invaluable platform to promote Bhutan’s culture and natural heritage on the world stage, enhancing its global brand and promoting tourism. It also opens doors for Bhutanese businesses to explore new ideas, technologies and partnerships. Cultural showcases are also likely to spark increased global interest in visiting Bhutan, while strategic engagement throughout the Expo offers opportunities to attract foreign investment by showcasing Bhutan’s economic potential, business-friendly policies and its commitment to sustainable development.
Bhutan’s participation in Expo 2025 is spearheaded by the Department of Trade, MoICE, in collaboration with key government agencies and the private sector. The Commercial Pavilion at the Expo will be managed and operated by the BCCI. The pavilion will serve as a vibrant platform to showcase, promote, and sell a diverse range of locally made Bhutanese products to an international audience. In addition to product promotion and sales, the BCCI will also play a key role in facilitating strategic business engagements during the event. This includes organizing and coordinating Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings aimed at fostering trade partnerships and investment opportunities. Furthermore, the Chamber will coordinate targeted business promotion visits to Japan, providing Bhutanese entrepreneurs and stakeholders with the opportunity to explore potential collaborations and expand their market reach in Japan and beyond.
Bhutan will also be among the participating nations, sharing its unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness, commitment to environmental conservation, and cultural richness. Visitors to Bhutan’s pavilion can expect to explore the country’s vision for holistic development, deeply rooted in tradition while embracing modern innovation in harmony with nature.
This expo presents a golden opportunity for us to promote Bhutan’s agricultural products to the international market and support the Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, as well as the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
One of the participants at the expo, the Horticulture Association of Bhutan, will not only showcase the quality and diversity of Bhutan’s agricultural products but also contribute to the global conversation on sustainability and future societies. This is a valuable opportunity for us to network with international partners, learn about best practices in agriculture and horticulture, and strengthen our presence in the global market.
In keeping with global sustainability goals, Expo 2025 is designed with environmental responsibility in mind. The site incorporates renewable energy, smart transportation systems, and zero-waste principles, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint and lasting positive impact on the region.
As the countdown to the grand opening continues, excitement is building not just in Japan but worldwide. Expo 2025 Osaka is more than just an exhibition — it’s a vision for tomorrow’s world, brought to life through collaboration, creativity, and hope.
The Bhutan Pavillion and its commercial shop was officially opened on 13 April, 2025 by the Secretary and will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. With the opening, the Bhutanese pavilion warmly welcomes all visitors to experience Bhutan and its unique values, development philosophy, and aspirations with the global community. The Expo will run until 13 October 2025 at Yumeshima, Osaka.
This global event will run for six months, and is expected to draw millions of visitors from across the globe to celebrate the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Organized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and hosted at Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay, Expo 2025 aims to foster international dialogue, showcase groundbreaking innovations, and encourage collaboration on solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, health, and technology.
