At Expo-2025, Ukraine will showcase a store where you can’t buy anything: what it means
8 April 05:29
In 2025, Ukraine will present a special project at the international exhibition Expo 2025 in Japan, which will become not only a symbol of the invincibility of the Ukrainian people but also a powerful message to the world. This was announced by Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The event, which will take place in Osaka from April 13 for six months, will bring together up to 23 million visitors, according to organizers. This is one of the largest events of the year, and Ukraine will use this platform to remind the world of its strength, democratic values, and economic resilience.
The theme of this year’s Expo is “Creating a society of the future for our lives.” According to Svyrydenko, the discussions in Ukraine have come to the conclusion that our future should be built on common democratic values that should not only be declared but also practiced every day.
“We want to show these values to the world by opening a store at Expo2025 where you can’t buy anything. But you can feel how Ukrainians practice sustainability and innovation, the right to education, self-expression, access to medical services, decent living standards, accessibility, solidarity, freedom of speech, unity, humanity, and protection of children’s rights on a daily basis,” the minister said.
According to her, each value will have its own symbol.
“For example, by scanning an inflatable boat, one will see not the price, but how Ukrainians saved animals during the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant tragedy. By picking up a lollipop, you can see how Ukrainians line up to donate blood when they need to rescue the wounded after a shelling,” explained Svyrydenko.
What values does the Ukrainian pavilion convey?
The project presents 12 key values on which the future of Ukrainian society is built:
- The right to education
- Freedom of speech
- Access to healthcare
- Humanity
- Unity
- Self-expression
- Accessibility
- Solidarity
- Protection of children’s rights
- Decent standards of living
- Innovation
- Economic capacity
Values Driven Economy – the strength of Ukrainian business
A separate part of the exposition , Values Driven Economy, tells the story of companies that continue to operate, develop and support the economy even in times of war. Visitors will learn the stories of Ajax Systems, Ukrnafta, Biosphere Corporation, DTEK, Astarta-Kyiv, Oschadbank, and other heroes of Ukrainian business.
Svyrydenko also added that the pavilion at the exhibition should show the world that the Ukrainian economy not only did not collapse during the war, but also continues to develop. In addition to the Ukrainian pavilion itself, Ukraine’s participation in the Expo will allow businesses to deepen their partnership with Japan and other geopolitical partners.
Expo is the number one global event this year. It will last for 6 months. It is expected that up to 23 million people will see the exposition, Svyrydenko noted. What is especially important is that Russia will not participate in the Expo, the minister thanked Japan for this decision.
EXPO is a world exhibition held every five years as a global platform for demonstrating innovations, technological achievements and cultural exchange.
This year, 161 countries and 25 international organizations will participate in the exhibition. Russia was not allowed to participate.
