Opening of the Ukrainian Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

On April 13, the official opening of the Ukrainian pavilion titled “Not For Sale” took place at the World Expo EXPO 2025 in Osaka.

The pavilion features a concept of a “Store where nothing can be bought”, as reported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

Among the attendees were the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Japan Yoshihiko Okabe, Japanese Minister of Economy Kentaro Morita, and other distinguished guests.

On its first day, the pavilion welcomed around 5,000 visitors.

Ukrainian Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko noted that the pavilion attracted considerable attention, resulting in the need for traffic regulators.

According to her, up to 1,500 people visit the pavilion every hour, and organizers estimate that around 23 million people will see it over six months.

She emphasized that this is an important opportunity to showcase Ukrainian values and resilience to the world.

“Not For Sale”: A Unique Concept of Ukraine at EXPO 2025

Instead of a traditional exhibition, the pavilion displays 18 exhibits, each symbolizing a particular human value such as freedom, dignity, and resilience.

Each item has a real barcode that visitors can scan with special devices.

After scanning, videos from Ukraine appear on the screen, showing the true “value” of such rights as the right to education, freedom of choice, and access to healthcare.

Next to the main pavilion is the “Values-Driven Economy” zone, showcasing products from Ukrainian companies that continue their operations despite the war.

On April 15, Ukraine will host a series of panel discussions in the British pavilion focusing on the role of values in the economy and the significance of cultural and economic resilience.

World Expo EXPO 2025: What You Need to Know

From April 13 to October 13, 2025, the Japanese city of Osaka will be the center of global attention as it hosts the World Expo EXPO 2025.

This landmark event, organized by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), will unfold under the slogan “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

Over 184 days, the expo is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors and unite around 161 countries and 9 international organizations to jointly explore pathways for humanity's development.

The central theme of EXPO 2025 is the creation of a “people's laboratory for the future society”, where 8 billion people can not only learn about innovations but also actively participate in shaping the future.

This global platform will focus on three key sub-themes: “Saving Lives”, which encompasses health and environmental sustainability issues; “Empowering Lives”, dedicated to education, technology, and unlocking human potential; and “Connecting Lives”, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication development.

The main goal of the expo is to seek effective solutions to urgent global challenges, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.