Saudi Pavilion Wins Innovation Award at Expo 2025 for 3D Coral Reef Project

At the forefront of global conversations on sustainability, Saudi Arabia has once again demonstrated its leadership in environmental innovation. At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Kingdom’s Pavilion was honored with the inaugural Expo Innovation Award for Technological Innovation, a recognition that underscores its commitment to protecting marine ecosystems through advanced technologies.

A Breakthrough in Marine Sustainability

The winning initiative, a 3D Coral Reef Project, is the centerpiece of the Pavilion’s Sustainable Seas experience room. The project leverages 3D printing technology to foster coral regeneration, offering a forward-looking solution to biodiversity loss and the environmental challenges posed by climate change.

Visitors to the Pavilion are immersed in a futuristic underwater experience, where engineered coral structures show how innovation can breathe life back into threatened marine habitats. It’s a vision that’s both deeply scientific and emotionally moving, a hallmark of the Pavilion’s design.

Designed for Impact

Created by world-renowned British architecture studio Foster + Partners, the Saudi Pavilion stands as a symbol of sustainable design excellence. The architecture itself pays tribute to the urban traditions of Saudi Arabia’s historic towns and cities, featuring narrow alleyways and a large central courtyard that serves as the heart of the Pavilion.

Radiating from this courtyard is a network of winding streets that guide visitors through several immersive spaces: two cultural studios, and a dynamic room dedicated to sustainable seas, where the award-winning 3D Coral Reef Project is housed. Every element, structural, spatial, and narrative, speaks to Vision 2030’s goals: innovation, environmental leadership, and global collaboration.

International Recognition

The award was jointly presented by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the Global Industrial and Social Progress Research Institute (GISPRI). It recognizes tangible, innovative contributions to sustainability that can be scaled globally.

During the announcement, the BIE Secretary-General and GISPRI Chairman commended the Saudi Pavilion for setting a new benchmark in combining design, education, and environmental impact.

A Message of Responsibility and Collaboration

In response to the award, Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan, said:

“We are honored to receive this international recognition at Expo 2025 Osaka. More than an award, it affirms our responsibility to harness the Kingdom’s innovation and expertise to build a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

He emphasized that the Pavilion’s success was built on deep collaboration between Saudi and global partners, a reminder that environmental breakthroughs are not born in isolation but through shared vision and execution.

Vision 2030 in Action

The recognition of the 3D Coral Reef Project is not just a single success. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing global footprint in technological innovation and environmental stewardship. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom continues to invest in sustainable development strategies that safeguard natural ecosystems while enabling scientific growth.

This milestone at Expo 2025 serves as both a celebration and a call to action: a signal that Saudi Arabia is leading with ideas that can regenerate the planet and inspire the world.

Looking Ahead to Expo 2030 in Riyadh

With its award-winning 3D Coral Reef Project, the Saudi Pavilion has proven that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, and that Saudi Arabia is ready to lead that conversation on the world stage.

Now, as the Kingdom prepares to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh under the inspiring theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” this achievement feels like just the beginning. With a focus on transformational technology, sustainable solutions, and prosperity for people, the next chapter will be written on Saudi soil, and it promises to be even more bold, immersive, and visionary.

Follow the journey at @ksaexpo2025 and be part of the future being built today.