Translated using ChatGPT service.
"Participation in the Expo will be the most significant export promotion event of 2025. I am delighted that we will be participating alongside Lithuania—this is an opportunity to showcase the Baltic region in Japan more powerfully than we could alone," emphasized Viktor Valainis, Minister of Economics, as he unveiled the unified Baltic Pavilion concept, "We Are One."
Photo: https://failiem.lv/u/hvgfmnna5b
Japan, the fourth-largest economy in the world, offers extensive opportunities for economic cooperation but ranks only 44th among Latvia’s trade partners. The World Expo 2025 provides an excellent opportunity to transform this potential into tangible investment and export projects. Latvia will participate in the international exhibition, opening on April 13, 2025, within the unified Baltic Pavilion, developed in cooperation with Lithuania. Latvia’s and Lithuania’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and Lithuania’s Government Chancellery.
"Currently, only 11% of people in Japan recognize Latvia, according to surveys. By participating in Expo 2025 Osaka, we aim to increase this recognition, double our export turnover, and amplify Japanese investments in Latvia by up to 20 times," said Lāsma Līdaka, Director of the Baltic Expo Pavilion. She added that Latvian businesses would have opportunities to participate in 15 different exhibitions, specialized trade missions, and other business events.
The unified Baltic Pavilion and its concept, "We Are One," were presented by representatives of the Kettler consortium: project manager Laura Slaviņa and exposition designer and artist Artūrs Analts.
Artūrs Analts: "In designing the Baltic Pavilion, it is crucial to understand the goals of the exhibition and position our region's innovations in the context of Japan and the world. Most national pavilions will seek to impress the technologically advanced Japanese audience with cutting-edge solutions. In contrast, the Baltic Pavilion will merge these extremes through an interactive installation, emphasizing both our region's technological progress and the presence of nature. At the heart of this interaction are people and communities.
The tactile screen of today’s digital world will transform in the Baltic Pavilion into an intuitive platform made from natural elements—water condensation—on which visitors’ messages will gradually disappear over time. This visually impactful and meditative pavilion will captivate digitally savvy visitors in Japan, generating positive interest in the Baltic region in terms of technology, investment, and tourism."
This Latvia-designed installation technology was successfully showcased in the UK, where it attracted significant attention both physically and digitally. In Osaka’s Baltic Pavilion, the technology will be further developed—made more energy-efficient, ecological, and sustainable, and designed uniquely for the pavilion’s curved form and scale, catering to massive visitor flows over several months. This evolution reflects the Baltic region’s commitment to technological growth and environmental care.
The Baltic Pavilion will invite visitors to explore the region's uniqueness: the diversity of Northern European nature and its significance in human life, preserved cultural and intangible heritage, as well as the creativity and community spirit driving innovation across various fields. The concept, "We Are One," highlights the interplay between nature, humanity, and technology, aiming to inspire collaborative efforts toward a better future.
Main Attraction: The pavilion’s centerpiece will be an interactive "Wall of the Future," made from green glass, symbolizing our shared Earth, including the green Baltic forests. Using a unique condensation technology, the green wall will transform into an interactive platform where visitors can leave their messages. These messages will vanish within minutes, creating space for the next visitors’ contributions. This inclusive, visible, and tangible experience will allow everyone to express themselves, regardless of gender, age, language, or ability.
The opportunity to create the Baltic Pavilion was secured by the Kettler consortium, which won the LIAA and Lithuanian Government Chancellery’s design competition. The consortium includes companies such as SIA Inspired, SIA 7 A.M., SIA Variant Studio, SIA Ozols IR, SIA AD Production, and SIA Datu Tehnoloģiju Grupa.
Lāsma Līdaka also introduced the business program designed to help Latvian companies enter the Japanese market and achieve the project’s goals:
"Participation in Expo 2025 is a unique opportunity to position Latvia internationally as a nation focused on technological and innovation development. To achieve national branding and export promotion goals, in addition to participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, a separate business program targeting the Japanese market has been developed. Latvian companies are encouraged to join. The program currently includes more than 13 exhibitions relevant to industries such as IT and technology, construction, medicine, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and more.
Entrepreneurs can learn about the latest business program for accessing the Japanese market in 2024–2025, as well as opportunities to contribute to the Baltic Pavilion content here: https://www.liaa.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/expo-2025-osaka-japana.
Additionally, three key events will be organized during the Expo: Latvia’s National Day on May 20, 2025, Lithuania’s National Day on July 6, 2025, and Baltic Day on August 23, 2025. These events will showcase each country’s culture, traditions, and business achievements."
Expo 2025 Osaka is the world’s premier exhibition for national branding and export promotion, addressing significant global socio-economic issues. It will feature 160 countries, nine international organizations, and is expected to attract over 28 million visitors worldwide. The exhibition is a platform to present national and regional exhibits while fostering new technologies and innovations to solve global challenges.
The Expo’s main theme is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," with a subtheme for the Baltic Pavilion titled "Saving Lives," focusing on improving quality of life through advanced technology while maintaining high environmental standards.