Sound friendship

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with David Hurley, the Governor-General of Australia, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

They discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Australia and ways to enhance cooperation in all spheres in the best interest of their countries. They also tackled a number of issues of mutual interest and the latest developments regionally and globally.

The two sides reviewed Australia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai and the role played by this international event to achieve more development between the two friendly countries in all fields.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of the Australian Governor-General and stressed the strong ties between the UAE and Australia and their keenness on promoting cooperation between the two countries in various sectors.

Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, David Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, hailed Expo 2020 Dubai’s ingenuity and creativity during his country’s Expo 2020 National Day and praised the UAE and Australia’s shared belief in using technology to address climate change.

 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee; Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai; and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Commissioner General’s Office welcomed David Hurley and a high-level delegation from Australia.

David Hurley said: “It speaks to traits common to both the Emirati and Australian character that, confronted with challenges, we push on. [We] both share a strong belief in the power of technological solutions in addressing our climate challenges, creating significant opportunities for closer co-operation. Australia looks forward to supporting the UAE’s hosting of the world climate change conference, COP28, in 2023.

“Showcased here [at Expo 2020 Dubai] is the ingenuity, creativity and capacity for technological advancement, underpinned by an appreciation of history and culture. It reminds us that we … are responsible for creating the future for generations to come … and it points to the considerable opportunities of the future and what is possible when we are open, connected and optimistic.”

Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali said: “Visitors to Expo 2020 are going to be able to learn about how Australia supports creative industries, research and innovation, and actively promotes its world-class education system, as well as its iconic landscape and the lifestyle of its people.

“Our nations share a solid relationship that has expanded over time and continues to flourish across various fields, particularly education, one of the core pillars on which the UAE’s vision is built. The UAE is now home to campuses of three of Australia’s renowned universities: Murdoch University, Curtin University and University of Wollongong. Through Expo 2020 Dubai, we look forward to expanding the horizons of our partnerships and fostering new collaborations for our mutual benefit and prosperity.”

A gigantic Australia flag, flown to the UAE from Parliament House in Canberra, was raised at Al Wasl Plaza as part of the National Day celebrations.

A packed schedule of activity all across the Expo site included cultural performances featuring Baker Boy, Mitch Tambo, an indigenous dance troupe and music duo O’Shea. Sport was also a key feature with Australian Football League workshops with former player Bachar Houli, backyard cricket matches and fun family games.

The Australia Pavilion, under the theme ‘Blue Sky Dreaming’, encapsulates Australian optimism, ambition and creativity. The pavilion features interactive and immersive installations using projection mapping special effects and 3D printing that sit alongside the songlines, a vital part of Aboriginal culture that mapped the land through traditional song.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming.

 Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai invites visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, has visited Bhutan’s pavilion at the Opportunity District in Expo 2020 Dubai.

She was received by Pem Zam, Director of Bhutan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, who briefed her pavilion’s philosophy on cross-national happiness, which is based on four pillars; environmental conservation, better governance, social economics, and cultural preservation.

Al Shamsi also learned about various sections of the pavilion and the rich cultural heritage of the society of Bhutan.

At the end of the tour, Dr. Al Shamsi expressed her happiness at Bhutan’s participation in the world expo and wished prosperity for the people of Bhutan.

The Expo is going to be a grand event. The whole world will have now a reason to visit Dubai. The world is now hailing the vision and courage demonstrated by the leadership of Dubai and the UAE at this special time facing all the challenges and turning the challenges as blessings. About 3 to 5 percent of people visiting Expo 2020 is expected revisiting Dubai or planning to make Dubai their residence post the Expo.

In 1851 the Crystal Palace was the centrepiece of London’s Great Exhibition – the first World Expo. It celebrated the man-made industrial wonders of a rapidly changing world. Architecture, contents and a theme, ‘Industry of All Nations’, were combined to create a big idea of nations meeting nations in shared technological and commercial progress. In more recent years, participants in World Expos, including governments, international organisations and companies, have gathered to find solutions to universal challenges and to promote their achievements, products, ideas, innovations, their national brand, and their nations as destinations for tourism, trade and investment.

World Expos are held under the auspices of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation responsible for overseeing and regulating international exhibitions (‘Expos’) and for fostering their core values of Education, Innovation and Cooperation. Today, four types of Expos are organised under the BIE’s auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos and the Triennale di Milano.

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today