World Expos – the global trade fairs that outdo all others – have a long history and can be traced back, in their current form, to the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. This year, after an impressive Shanghai (2010), a food-orientated Milan (2015) and a spectacular Dubai (2021), the event moves to Osaka, a third honour for the Japanese city which previously hosted World Expo in 1970 and 1990.
Potential
The UK’s presence on Yumeshima Island, Osaka at which 150 countries will participate, and at which 28 million visitors are expected, focuses on the government’s Plan for Change and is epitomised by the country’s mascot PIX, made up of red, white and blue building blocks. PIX represents how every idea has the potential to grow into something great.
Innovation
Gareth Thomas, UK minister for exports explains: “The UK has been a pioneer of innovation for generations by utilising the power of ideas to change the world. Our presence at the Osaka Expo will demonstrate the innovation and opportunities for exporting and growth there are in the UK and how we are open for business.”
Thomas added that Japan was a crucial market for the UK economy, and central to its growth aims. Currently, currently it is the UK’s sixth largest investor with £86.2 billion invested in the UK in 2022. “Our bilateral trade in goods and services was worth £27.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024 – which could be boosted further now that the UK has joined the regional CPTPP trade bloc.”
Iconic
The UK Pavilion will be supported by iconic global brands including biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin and hospitality company IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Scotland at Expo
Scotland, which launched its programme for the Expo at their London HQ in February with Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, will be much in evidence and will take over the UK Pavilion for three spotlight days during the event.
The focus will be on creative technologies, health technologies and energy transition to net zero – offshore wind and tech innovation. This aligns with the Expo’s overarching theme of Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Scotland’s spotlights will include a mixture of panel sessions, demonstrations, product showcases, pitching sessions and keynote speakers.
This will be Scotland’s second significant World Expo presence, following participation in Dubai. Scottish companies at the event forecasted sales of around £89 million over three years, as a result of commercial outcomes agreed there.
Expo 2025 opens on 13 April and runs for six months until 13 October
www.expo2025.or.jp/en
