Come build the future: celebrating UK-Japan creativity and innovation

Join us to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and discover the most exciting ideas and innovations shaping our future.

At a time when the world risks becoming fragmented and divided, the World Expo represents a unique opportunity to show what humanity can achieve when we come together. 

The UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 will act as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, showcasing our nation’s unique energy, heritage, and make-up. A place where fresh ideas and diverse perspectives are welcomed. A place where exploration and curiosity pave the way for progress. A great place to connect, collaborate, and build the future. 

At the RSA, the birthplace of the very first World Expo – the Great Exhibition of 1851 – we will gather innovators developing new creative projects and partnerships in both the UK and Japan to inspire us with pathways to a brighter future for people, places, and the planet we all share. 

All are welcome to join pre-event drinks and canapés in the RSA Benjamin Franklin Room from 17.15.

Speakers

  • Sir Peter Bazalgette – Co-chair, Creative Industries Council
  • YolanDa Brown OBE DL – Chair, BPI
  • Loyd Grossman – Chair, the RSA
  • Indy Johar – Architect and Co-founder, 00 and Dark Matter Labs
  • Foday Dumbuya, Founder and Creative Director of Labrum London

Chair

  • Nina Nannar, journalist and arts editor for ITV News

More speakers being announced soon

In partnership with

Join us to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka! The red banner proudly states "EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI." On its right, a stylized Union Jack flag displays "GREAT" and "BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND," inviting you to hear from leading innovators in the UK and Japan.

Sir Peter Bazalgette

Co-chair, Creative Industries Council

A grayscale portrait of an older man with a bald head and slight side hair, smiling, as he invites you to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. He's wearing a dark blazer over a polka dot shirt. The background is softly blurred.

Loyd Grossman

Chair, RSA

Elderly man smiling while wearing a suit and tie, captured in a black-and-white photograph. Join us to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where timeless elegance meets groundbreaking innovation from the UK and Japan.

Indy Johar

Architect and Co-founder, 00 and Dark Matter Labs

A grayscale portrait of a person wearing glasses and a turban captures their slight smile with a full beard. The plain white background highlights their features, reminiscent of the dignified leaders you'll meet when you join us to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Foday Dumbuya

Founder and Creative Director of Labrum London

A person wearing glasses and a collared shirt, smiling warmly. Their dreadlocked hair is styled in a tall topknot as they face the camera against a plain background. This black-and-white image invites you to celebrate the opening of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka with innovators from the UK and Japan.

Nina Nannar

journalist and arts editor for ITV News

A black and white portrait captures a smiling individual with long hair, adorned in spiral earrings and a necklace. The plain, light background invites thoughts of Expo 2025 Osaka, where the UK Pavilion will inspire with insights from leading innovators in the UK and Japan.

Join another RSA Public Talk

A person wearing a bright orange sweater and yellow earrings smiles while seated on a green chair. They are on a stage or panel, with a blurred audience in the foreground and a projection screen in the background.

Hear more from leading social innovators Public

We offer free access to the world’s most influential changemakers. Join a public talk and engage in conversations to help shape our future.

Event newsletter

Be notified of upcoming RSA Public Talks in our bi-monthly email.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

For information about how we handle your data, please read our privacy policy.

Explore our latest upcoming events