Emirati women who make the UAE shine at Expo Osaka 2025 - in pictures

  • Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office and Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director lead a team who bring to life the UAE pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office and Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director lead a team who bring to life the UAE pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • The pavilion features a forest of 90 columns made from agricultural date palm waste
    The pavilion features a forest of 90 columns made from agricultural date palm waste
  • The glass-encased UAE pavilion makes passers-by curious to explore the exhibits within
    The glass-encased UAE pavilion makes passers-by curious to explore the exhibits within
  • Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office, says the expo is special to the UAE
    Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office, says the expo is special to the UAE
  • Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director, hopes visitors remember the UAE's hospitality
    Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director, hopes visitors remember the UAE's hospitality
  • Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki, oversees content development and story telling of the UAE pavilion
    Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki, oversees content development and story telling of the UAE pavilion
  • The team has worked closely with hundreds of Emirati and Japanese craftspeople, woodcarvers, architects and designers
    The team has worked closely with hundreds of Emirati and Japanese craftspeople, woodcarvers, architects and designers
  • The pavilion hosts workshops on sadu, khoos and talli, traditional braiding, weaving and decorative embroidery, demonstrated by Emirati craftswomen
    The pavilion hosts workshops on sadu, khoos and talli, traditional braiding, weaving and decorative embroidery, demonstrated by Emirati craftswomen
  • Visitors who sign in for workshops take home souvenirs such as keychains and bookmarks
    Visitors who sign in for workshops take home souvenirs such as keychains and bookmarks
  • Japanese residents and tourists listen intently to instructions at a craft session
    Japanese residents and tourists listen intently to instructions at a craft session
  • Workshops and events will be held at the pavilion over the next six months
    Workshops and events will be held at the pavilion over the next six months
  • A performance at the UAE pavilion
    A performance at the UAE pavilion
  • Children swipe through interactive information about the UAE's advances in healthcare and space exploration
    Children swipe through interactive information about the UAE's advances in healthcare and space exploration
  • A khanjar or traditional Emirati dagger is among the exhibits on display
    A khanjar or traditional Emirati dagger is among the exhibits on display
  • A traditional loom is one of the handicrafts on display
    A traditional loom is one of the handicrafts on display
  • Displays tell inspirational stories of UAE citizens
    Displays tell inspirational stories of UAE citizens