Mr. Maher emphasized: “We all wish to thrive on a planet of peace, dignity, equality, and health. I believe that is the true beauty of the Expo, not the buildings, but the people.”

The theme of Expo Osaka 2025 is “Designing the Future Society for Our Lives”, with three sub-themes: “Saving Lives, Connecting Lives, Empowering Lives”. The UN's participation will focus on these themes, centered on serving people. As 2025 also marks the 80th anniversary of the UN, the UN pavilion will be divided into three parts: a reflection on history, engagement with the present, and a vision for the future.

The first part of the pavilion will review the UN's journey over the past 80 years, highlighting historic achievements in global cooperation. The second part illustrates how the UN is deeply integrated into people's daily lives today. Whether it is mobile communications promoted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), postal services by the Universal Postal Union, or vaccination and child welfare efforts by WHO and UNICEF, the UN system has become indispensable.

The third part focuses on the future, with the theme “Uniting for a Better Future”, exploring what the world would look like if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were fully achieved. The UN pavilion, with the sub-theme “Saving, Empowering, and Connecting Lives Together”, will clearly explain how UN agencies play key roles in humanitarian action and other fields.

Furthermore, during the six months of the Expo, the UN has planned an intense schedule of events, collaborating with other national pavilions to advance global issues such as the SDGs, human rights, peace and security, as well as equality. The UN will also actively participate in the virtual Expo, allowing the global public who cannot physically travel to Osaka to experience the UN pavilion online.

Mr. Maher emphasized that the Expo is not directly a place for problem-solving, but a platform to promote mutual human understanding. Dubai Expo 2020 is an example, allowing one to “visit” 190 countries without boarding a plane. He stated that the Expo fosters global partnerships, attracting not only tourists but also companies showcasing new products and technologies, thereby enhancing cultural exchange and innovation.

He specifically mentioned that the UN encourages all participating countries to highlight sustainability and concrete actions towards achieving the 2030 SDGs. He commended the efforts of many national pavilions and suggested that visitors interact with the pavilion staff, who are true ambassadors, showcasing their country's unique culture and contributions to the world.

“We all wish to thrive on a planet of peace, dignity, equality, and health,” reiterated Mr. Maher. “That is the true beauty of the Expo, not the buildings, but the people.”