At the opening ceremony of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, on Saturday, guest speakers urged people around the globe to rise above divisions, foster active dialogue, and strengthen human connections to create a better future.

Expo 2025 will run for 184 days, from April 13 to Oct 13. Officially launched by Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the honorary president of the expo, the event will bring together more than 160 countries, regions, and international organizations at Yumeshima in Osaka.

Masakazu Tokura, chairman of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, called the expo "a once in a lifetime opportunity" to bring together people, cultures, ideas and values from around the world to create a greater future society.

"It is my sincere hope that by coming together in one place, overcoming divisions, connecting and talking with each other, each and every one of us will have a renewed appreciation for life, and use this as an opportunity to think about and take action to protect and improve our own lives," Tokura said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also the honorary chairperson of the expo, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

"The world has overcome the COVID-19 pandemic but we currently face various crises of division. In times such as this, I believe it is extremely meaningful for people from around the globe to come together, to discuss the theme of life, and to be exposed to cutting-edge technology, diverse ways of thinking and cultures," he said.

Ishiba expressed his hope that the Grand Ring — the symbol of the expo site and the world's largest wooden architectural structure — will serve as a hub of vibrant interaction, both within and beyond its bounds, fostering meaningful exchanges between nations and visitors throughout the event. He added that he hopes the expo will help rekindle global connections.

With the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives", the expo aims to inspire reflection and action. Japanese Emperor Naruhito shared his wish that the event will serve as an opportunity for people around the world to respect not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them and the various forms of life that exist in nature, working together to create a sustainable future.

"I hope that through this expo, children will deepen their understanding of countries, regions and people around the world, and by experiencing next-generation technologies and global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, they will begin to think about the future of society," the emperor said.

While cutting-edge technologies are a key attraction at the expo, Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary-general of the Bureau International des Expositions, offered a word of caution. He noted that humanity's growing reliance on advanced technologies blurs the lines between the organic and the synthetic, the natural and the digital.

Kerkentzes stressed that although these innovations unlock tremendous possibilities, they also raise profound ethical questions and pose new threats to the well-being of people and the health of the planet.

"These challenges are heightened by global crises. They reaffirm the urgent need for unity, resilience, and the common good," he said.

Kerkentzes regarded Expo 2025 as a unique opportunity to reimagine a future society where lives are protected through advancements in public health and disaster readiness, where human potential is empowered through education and technology, where connections between people and ideas foster a more inclusive and more prosperous world.

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