KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Member of Parliament Shishir Khanal today raised serious concerns during the Zero Hour of the House of Representatives over Nepal’s failure to complete its pavilion at the ongoing Osaka World Expo 2025 in Japan.

Referring to a recent article published by The Asahi Shimbun, Khanal highlighted that while over 160 countries are showcasing their identity, progress, and prospects at the international event, Nepal’s pavilion remains incomplete and abandoned.

The Expo, which kicked off on April 13 and will run until October 13, is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, presenting a golden opportunity for Nepal to promote its art, culture, tourism, and investment potential on a global stage.

“Unfortunately, due to payment disputes and government incompetence, Nepal’s pavilion remains unfinished, tarnishing our national image internationally,” Khanal remarked, citing reports that the construction was halted because of unresolved financial issues.

Japanese media have also covered Nepal’s stalled pavilion, further embarrassing the nation, he added. MP Khanal called for immediate government intervention to resolve the matter and salvage Nepal’s reputation on the global platform.

He stressed that the government must act swiftly to complete the pavilion and ensure Nepal’s presence is felt at one of the largest international expos of the decade.