Created through a unique partnership with the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Cartier and the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, the Women’s Pavilion serves as a global platform dedicated to championing gender equality, sparking collective dialogue, and recognising the vital contributions of women in building more inclusive, resilient societies.

Moderated by the celebrated writer, broadcaster, and gender equality champion, Sandi Toksvig OBE, the opening dialogue “Together We Thrive: Forging Alliances for a Brighter Future” featured Cyrille Vigneron, Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships at UN Women and Dr. Anino Emuwa, Managing Director of Avandis Consulting and Founder of 100 Women@Davos. Together they explored how institutional, corporate, and grassroots alliances can dismantle systemic barriers and accelerate the realisation of SDG 5: Gender Equality.

At the heart of the Expo Hall, the Women’s Pavilion Opening Ceremony gathered an intergenerational and international audience of 1,600 guests, including government officials, corporate partners, international and local media, and students, reflecting the Women’s Pavilion’s inclusive mission.

Set within an auditorium inspired by cymatics, the science of visual sound, the space itself became a resonant body. Drum-shaped and sensorially immersive, it transformed sound waves into shimmering patterns projected across walls and ceilings, turning every speech and performance into a visual and emotional experience.

In a powerful convergence of tradition and innovation, Wadaiko drummers, folk singer Anna Sato, two youth soloists, and international and Japanese choirs came together to perform an original composition inspired by Heian-era poetry and the vivid colours of Japanese spring. Entitled “The Flower of the Human Heart”, the piece drew from the words of Izumi Shikibu to express a collective call for resilience, unity, and transformation.

The evening transitioned to the Osaka Geihinkan Lawn, where guests were immersed in the spirit of the Kansai region. Under lanterns crafted in Kyoto, surrounded by Wakayama ceramics and local flora, guests enjoyed a refined dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Kei Kobayashi, blending French and Japanese culinary traditions.