Arab News Japan
DUBAI: Dubai on Thursday handed over the BIE flag to Japan’s delegation for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
As the flag lowered for Expo 2020 Dubai, excitement and hope for the future continued as in three years, Osaka will host the next world expo.
#WATCH: As the flag lowered at @expo2020dubai on Thursday, the baton was handed over to Expo 2025 #Osaka, #Kansai. Over the next 3 years, excitement will continue to grow as Osaka’s time to host the World Expo comes closer @expo2025_japan #Expo2020
— Arab News Japan (@ArabNewsjp) March 31, 2022
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The Wakamiya Kenji, Minister for the World Expo 2025 and Yoshimura Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture received the baton at the closing ceremony.
Millions of people have flocked to the Expo in its final days, pushing visit numbers over 23 million.
Long queues have formed at the most popular attractions, including the falcon-themed UAE pavilion and Saudi Arabia’s pavilion which has won an award within the best pavilion category, along with two honorary awards, following selection by the EXHIBITOR magazine.
The Kingdom’s pavilion won the award for the best pavilion in the category of large suites, as well as the honorary award in the category of best exterior design and best display.
Japan’s Pavilion also won gold for its Exhibition Design in the same category.
Expo, which started with the 1851 Great Exhibition in London and has showcased innovations such as the telephone and microwave down the years, now moves to Osaka in Japan which will hold the next edition on a man-made island in 2025.
The closing ceremony promises a stellar lineup of performances.
A string of concerts kicked off at 7:00 p.m. (Dubai time) with Indo Belarusian artist Mira Singh. Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma followed, playing a concert at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre at 8:45 p.m.
Later, singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones took to the Jubilee Stage at 9:00 p.m. to soothe audiences with chart-topping hits including “Come Away With Me” and “Don’t Know Why.”
Christina Aguilera followed Jones at 10:45 p.m., and the concerts came to a close with renowned Dutch DJ Tiesto, who took to the stage for an electrifying techno set from 11:45 p.m. through the early hours of April 1.
The concerts were free to attend for those with Expo tickets, and entry was based on a first come, first serve basis.
More than 20 giant screens were installed across the Expo site to broadcast the performances.