Goodbye EXPO: Six Months of Unity in Diversity and Creativity
EXPO 2025 concluded on October 13th, marking the end of the third World Expo held in Japan. The exhibition, themed "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," welcomed over 28 million visitors from 165 countries and international organizations during its six-month run, according to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) newsletter.
The 184-day event concluded with an official closing ceremony at the EXPO Hall – Shining Hat on Yumeshima Island, followed by a parade of flags and a celebratory farewell with fireworks, before the venue officially closed its doors at 10:00 PM.
The closing ceremony, held under the motto "For the Future," celebrated the creativity, unity in diversity, and spirit of collaboration that characterized EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Conceived as both the conclusion of the exhibition and the beginning of a new start, the ceremony included a "symphony of the exhibition" interpreted through musical and dance performances, and a virtual parade of flags as a tribute to international participants. It was attended by representatives of national and local authorities, exhibition organizers, and international participants, along with representatives of volunteers, civil society, and the media, and all those who contributed to the success of the exhibition.
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino officially stated: "I believe it is very significant that the EXPO provided an opportunity that brought a large number of people to Yumeshima to make connections, deepen mutual understanding, and jointly consider solutions to the common problems facing humanity. I hope that the world will continue to 'design a future society for our lives.'"
The ceremony also featured speeches by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Minister for the World Expo Yoshitaka Ito, Chairman of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Alain Berger, Governor of Osaka Prefecture Hirofumi Yoshimura, and Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo, Hirojuke Ishige.
Chairman of the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Alain Berger stated: "EXPO 2025 calls on the world to reflect on the future of humanity. In the spirit of solidarity, innovation, and hope, it has emphasized fundamental priorities: health, the environment, human dignity, and shared progress. In a world facing global challenges, EXPO 2025 in Osaka has become a symbol of resilience. It has shown that collective intelligence and international cooperation are our greatest strengths in the face of uncertainty."
As a symbolic handover to the future, the BIE and EXPO flag was lowered and returned to the Chairman of the BIE General Assembly and Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE. It was then entrusted to His Excellency Ibrahim bin Muhammad Sultan, Minister of State of Saudi Arabia and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), representing EXPO 2030 in Riyadh. The Specialized Expo 2027 Belgrade and the Horticultural EXPO 2027 Yokohama symbolically took over the BIE and EXPO flag as a gesture of continuity.
BIE Secretary General Dimitri Kerkentzes further stated: “At a time when the world is facing uncertainty, tension and conflict, EXPO 2025 has provided something precious and vital: a space for human interaction, for personal diplomacy, for co-creation, and for the exploration of fundamental questions concerning our shared future. Within the Grand Ring, new threads of understanding have been woven between people and nations, creating a common bond that will endure long after the event is over.”
The final hours of the exhibition included a vibrant flag parade celebrating the unity and shared purpose of the international participants, while a series of performances from around the world captivated visitors throughout the grounds. The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated Yumeshima Island one last time before the EXPO site closed its doors at 10:00 PM.
World Expos are global gatherings of nations addressing the universal challenges of our time. These unique global events offer a journey into a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. The next World EXPO, EXPO 2030 Riyadh, will take place from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, under the theme “The Era of Foresight”.
Source: Czech News Agency, author’s adaptations