Belgium confirms participation in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka

The Belgian government officially confirmed on Thursday 8 December that the country will participate in the 2025 World Expo in the Japanese city of Osaka.

As announced during the economic mission led by Princess Astrid in Japan, the search for a candidate to build the Belgian pavilion has been launched. The Buildings Agency informed that a public tender will take place to choose who will design and construct the Belgian pavilion in Osaka. A maximum of three candidates will be selected.

Belexpo, in charge of Belgium's participation in international exhibitions, has appointed Renaat Schrooten as the responsible for Belgium's participation in the event in 2025. Schrooten is director-general of the Directorate-General for Economic Analysis and International Economy at the Federal Public Service Economy.

The World Expo in 2025 will be hosted on the artificial island of Yumeshima, off the coast of Osaka. It will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025 and will have as its theme the future society ("Designing Future Society for Our Lives"). Belgium opts for the sub-theme "Saving Lives".

According to the initial plans, the pavilions will be located in a large circle surrounded by a striking wooden structure. More than 28 million visitors are expected. Osaka was also the site of the first World Expo in Japan, in 1970.

(VIV)

^{#FlandersNewsService | Princess Astrid of Belgium during the Belgian Economic Mission to Japan, 8 December 2022, in Osaka. ​ © BELGA PHOTO (ERIC LALMAND)}