Tourism: The Cambodian pavilion honoured in Osaka, a celebration of the past and the future

The Cambodia Pavilion has won international acclaim, receiving the prestigious Bronze Award in the Exhibition Design - Module Pavilions (Type B + X) category at the official BIE Day ceremony at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This distinction, announced by the Ministry of Commerce, is the crowning achievement of a participation marked by a remarkable balance between cultural heritage and innovation.

Organised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), this annual event celebrates the outstanding contributions made by countries and international organisations to the Expo. This year, 49 awards were presented, including 45 distinctions (gold, silver and bronze) and 4 Special Awards for Sustainability, reflecting the growing importance given to environmental and social issues in exhibition design.

Expo 2025 Osaka, which brought together 165 participants, placed particular emphasis on the rigour and transparency of the evaluation process. Each country was required to submit an exhaustive dossier including the theme statement, design concept, architecture, exterior layout, content and thematic development. These criteria enabled the jury to assess the depth and coherence of the proposals, combining aesthetics, message and functionality.

At the heart of the Cambodian Pavilion, the emblematic figure of the Koh Ker Temple illuminated the space. This archaeological site, recently inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, is an ancient capital of the Khmer kingdom dating back to the 10th century. Its seven-level pyramid, 36 metres high, is a powerful symbol of the architectural and spiritual grandeur of Khmer civilisation. By choosing this monument as its theme, Cambodia has highlighted not only its rich historical past, but also its commitment to the care and preservation of this priceless heritage.

Over 1.3 million visitors were captivated by this immersive experience during the six months of the exhibition, transforming the pavilion into one of the site's major attractions. The architecture itself was inspired by Koh Ker, with evolving elements that embody both tradition and modernity, recalling the intimate relationship between the country's ancestral values and contemporary aspirations.

Visitors were invited to explore a collection of interactive exhibits, dynamic projections and virtual reality reconstructions telling the story of Cambodia from yesterday to tomorrow. This narrative was accompanied by a field of golden rice, a symbol of the fertility of the Mekong basin, establishing a natural link between land, culture and life.

But Cambodia is more than just its ancient history: the pavilion also revealed a facet that looks to the future. The emblematic J Tower 3 project, a 333-metre skyscraper under construction in Phnom Penh, was presented as a metaphor for the kingdom's economic boom and urban modernisation. This juxtaposition between the thousand-year-old pyramid of Koh Ker and the vertiginous silhouette of J Tower 3 illustrates the dialogue between respect for the past and confidence in the future.

Beyond the architectural aspects, the presence of high-ranking representatives, including Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, underlines the diplomatic and economic importance of this participation, which is part of Cambodia's desire to strengthen its international ties and attract foreign investment, particularly from Japan.

The closing ceremony of the Expo was held on 13 October 2025, presided over by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino. In addition to the official presentation of prizes, the BIE flag was entrusted to Serbia, future host of the 2027 Specialised Expo in Belgrade, and to Japan, which will host the 2027 International Horticultural Exhibition in Yokohama, marking the continuity of celebrations and global cultural exchanges.

This international recognition within the prestigious framework of the BIE confirms Cambodia's rise as a cultural and economic player on the world stage. Combining age-old tradition with bold modernity, the Cambodian Pavilion elegantly embodies the resilience and progressive vision of a country ready to write its future while proudly honouring its glorious past.