Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said, Honorary President of the 'Programme of Promising Omani Startups' (POPS), on Saturday, headed the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation participating in the celebration of the Sultanate of Oman's National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Pavilion in Japan.
HH Sayyid Bilarab was received upon his arrival at the expo by Ito Yoshitaka, Minister for the World Expo 2025, beside a number of Japanese government officials. HH Sayyid Bilarab then signed the VIP guest book for Expo 2025 Osaka. A ceremony was held at the Yumeishiya Hall for HH Sayyid Bilarab during which he enjoyed traditional Japanese tea.
The ceremony began with the raising of the flag of the Sultanate of Oman in the main exhibition hall and the playing of the national anthems of the Sultanate of Oman and Japan.
In his speech, Ito Yoshitaka stressed the strong relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Japan, reviewing the shared history and areas of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries. He highlighted the importance of the corners and sections of the Sultanate of Oman’s Pavilion, themed ‘Earth, Water, and Humanity’ which showcases a future society where humanity lives in harmony with nature.
Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, (Commissioner-General of the Sultanate of Oman’s Pavilion at Expo 2020), emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman’s presence highlights the achievements the country has made in its blessed and renewed renaissance, which has focused on strengthening ties with all nations supported by a rich history of tolerance and cultural interaction. He said that this interaction draws its spirit from water, land and humanity, allowing Omanis to cross land and sea and share their identity, culture and values of peace with other peoples, while opening up to the cultures of the world and adding to their cultural heritage.
Al Busaidy pointed out that the design of the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion at the Expo 2025 Japan is the fruit of Omani youth creativity being one of the winning projects of the Bilarab Bin Haitham Award for Architectural Design.
He added, “The Sultanate of Oman’s participation at Expo 2025 Japan represents an opportunity to introduce Omani culture to the peoples of the world and extend bridges of communication between us and them through human interaction. The Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion at the expo also offers an interactive space that welcomes everyone and is rich in information and experiences.”
The Royal Cavalry Band performed a musical piece that embodied the global affinity that characterises Expo as well as traditional pieces titled Crown of Loyalty, My Lord, the Sultan, the Omani Gazelle.
HH Sayyid Bilarab later toured the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion, passing through the Water Corridor, which serves as a link between the indoor exhibition halls and the outdoor space of the pavilion. He watched a visual presentation in the Land and Water Hall, depicting the birth of natural life forms in the Sultanate of Oman through the confluence of water and land. The presentation also highlighted the impact of these natural life forms, represented by the flora and fauna of the Sultanate of Oman’s rich environment.
At the end of the ceremony, HH Sayyid Bilarab exchanged commemorative gifts and was presented with a commemorative gift from the Japanese government, delivered to him by Ito Yoshitaka, Minister for the World Expo 2025.
The event was attended by a number of Their Excellencies and officials from both the Omani and Japanese sides, as well as several sisterly and friendly countries.
As part of his visit to the expo, HH Sayyid Bilarab and his accompanying delegation visited the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka where he was received by Noriyuki Kuroda, Director of the Japanese Pavilion. He listened to a brief explanation of the Japanese Pavilion model and its design. He then toured the pavilion’s sections: the Land, the Farm, and the Factory, learning about the pavilion’s content and the displays and experiences it offers that reflect Japan’s identity. At the conclusion of the tour of the Japanese Pavilion, HH Sayyid Bilarab signed the pavilion’s VIP guest book.
Over one million visitors have visited the Sultanate of Oman’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Japan. They learned about the story of the Omani Pavilion, reflecting the experience the country has witnessed throughout history and its messages. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
