News item | 05-06-2023 | 16:10
The Dutch participation in Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Japan has been announced. The Netherlands distinguishes itself with a fully circular pavilion designed like a man-made sun. Visitors, companies, governments and knowledge institutions will soon be introduced to new technologies generated from water that can make renewable energy more accessible to everyone in the pavilion. In doing so, the pavilion presents the innovative solutions the Netherlands has to offer for global challenges in the field of energy transition.
Minister Liesje Schreinemacher for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation announced the design together with the winning consortium during the launch event on Monday.
Minister Schreinemacher: ‘Making clean renewable energy accessible to everyone is the key to a more sustainable society and economy. The Russian war in Ukraine has put security of supply even higher on the agenda in many countries. I am proud of the Dutch design, which shows the innovative solutions that the Netherlands has to offer and takes visitors into the possibilities for an emission-free and circular future.’
The design of the pavilion was made by architectural firm RAU, engineering firm DGMR, experience design studio Tellart and Japanese construction company Asanuma. They have extensive experience in the field of circular construction and specialize in solutions for safe, sustainable and healthy living environments.
Cross-border challenges and solutions
Expo 2025 Osaka focuses on the challenges of a world in which major crises concerning climate and health, for example, will determine quality of life. These cross-border challenges require international cooperation. The Dutch pavilion is therefore intended as a meeting place to bring together different perspectives and expertise in order to arrive at joint solutions.
Working towards the Expo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a multi-year campaign. The business community, knowledge institutions, governments and cultural organizations will meet in the pavilion to share knowledge and expertise. Events, visits, trade missions and exhibitions are organized in advance through the Road2Osaka–programming. Companies and organizations are invited to participate. The pavilion and programming also offer sponsorship opportunities.
The design
The theme of the Dutch participation is ‘Common Ground: creating a new dawn together‘. The contribution introduces new technologies. With the power of water, emission-free energy is generated that can make energy more accessible to everyone. The rising sun in the design of the pavilion symbolizes unlimited clean energy. The pavilion is also completely circular.
Japan host country
Japan is the third largest economy in the world and an important trading partner for the Netherlands. In 2022, the Netherlands exported nearly € 4.3 billion worth of goods to Japan. Japan exported € 7.4 billion worth of goods to the Netherlands last year. The Netherlands is also an important investment country for Japan.
Minister Liesje Schreinemacher: ‘In the year that the Expo takes place in Osaka, 2025, we celebrate that our relationship came about 425 years ago. Japan is an important partner in innovation, trade, culture and politics. The Expo and Japan offer many opportunities for Dutch companies, organizations and art institutions to share their knowledge and work together.’
Like the Netherlands, Japan faces pressing and complex challenges, such as climate change, scarcity of raw materials, food security, an aging population and keeping healthcare accessible. Opportunities for Dutch companies and organizations mainly lie in the energy transition, agriculture and horticulture, life sciences & health, digitization and culture. Activities will be organized by various ministries and public-private parties before and during the Expo to put the Dutch sectors on the map and help companies capitalize on opportunities.
