As Expo 2025 Osaka prepares to open its doors on Sunday, it marks a moment of celebration and opportunity, building on Japan's proud legacy of hosting World Expos and major international events such as the 1970 and 2005 World Expos and the 2021 Olympic Games.
Such mega-events can significantly drive economic growth and infrastructure development of host cities. Their impact on local businesses and long-term development is undeniable. Expos are also deeply human experiences. They create emotional connections that help people understand one another’s cultures, spark curiosity and promote meaningful dialogue. As the 2025 World Expo unfolds during a time of global geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty, its role in fostering shared purpose and cross-cultural exchange has never been more vital.
Expo 2025 Osaka, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, aims to harness global wisdom to create and communicate new ideas and breakthrough technologies. Physically, organisers have taken that to their core, with a two-kilometre long cedarwood “Grand Ring” – the world’s largest timber structure – symbolising diversity and unity. This central feature invites visitors to look through the ring to the same sky, fostering a sense of shared humanity.
This spirit of connection was also at the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai, where the iconic three-petal design and central Al Wasl Plaza (whose name means “connection” in Arabic) brought together innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the world. That central Expo 2020 mission, epitomised in the theme of “Connecting minds, creating the future”, continues to shape the growth of Expo City Dubai today.
More than a physical legacy, Expo City Dubai is a model for a sustainable, innovation-led future. It links Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, with a dedicated metro station and a network of highways that connect Dubai to Abu Dhabi and beyond, and easy access to international airports to enable two thirds of the world’s population to reach the UAE within eight hours.
Repurposed Expo infrastructure, including former country pavilions, are now being transformed into apartments, offices, retail and food and beverage outlets, with plans to eventually welcome 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals.
The UAE Pavilion in Osaka invites the world to collaborate and engage with its bold vision of collective progress
This physical infrastructure of the city is the bones of our society – the skeleton, or framework, that supports us. But it is the people – the visitors, students, residents, businesses and governments – who are its lifeblood. Their collaboration and ideas are the driving forces behind societal progress. This is what bands Expo 2025 and Expo 2020 together, and it is where all mega-events, including World Expos, global climate conferences and international cultural gatherings, can have tremendous impact.
Japan’s first World Expo in Osaka in 1970 marked the nation’s rapid economic transformation and was a symbolic moment for the UAE – a nation not yet born. Represented by the Abu Dhabi Pavilion, its presence was a huge symbol of confidence in the future and a significant sign from UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that the country he was building was ready to join the community of nations.
Fifty years later, the UAE became the first nation in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia to host a World Expo. An incredible milestone in our young nation’s journey, Expo 2020 Dubai was widely regarded as a triumph – an example of collaboration and inclusivity and an unforgettable celebratory experience.
While it added billions of dollars to the UAE economy, it also cemented the UAE’s reputation as a safe, hospitable nation, a global convener that welcomed leaders, businesses and visitors – more than 24 million of them – from around the world, while safely and successfully navigating a global health emergency.
It raised the bar in several sectors, including sustainability, developing guidelines to maximise the sustainability of preparing for, operating and decommissioning any events hosted on site – guidelines that continue to be adopted by third parties today.
Its impact extended well beyond the economics to enhance the UAE’s global standing, with Expo 2020 cited as the biggest factor in the UAE’s five place jump – into the top 10 – in the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2023.
And it endures. The partnerships forged during Expo 2020 continue to bear fruit, as businesses from around the world establish themselves in the city. We continue to change perceptions, enrich knowledge and cultural exchange through ongoing initiatives, including the Expo School Programme and the Expo City Dubai Foundation, which serves as a catalyst for progress, connecting people, ideas and resources to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.
In short, the World Expo legacy lives on – here in the UAE through Expo City Dubai, and in Japan at Expo 2025 Osaka, where the UAE Pavilion invites the world to collaborate and engage with its bold vision of collective progress.
In these turbulent times, the power of World Expos to unite people and drive positive change is more important than ever. These global gatherings are a reminder that, no matter the challenges we face, the future is shaped by collaboration, innovation and shared vision.
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
Company%20profile
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The five pillars of Islam
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
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The years Ramadan fell in May
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
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