Expo 2020 provides a bridge to unite diverse cultures: VP

Sajjad Ahmad /  WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday visited the pavilions of Syria and Paraguay at Expo 2020 Dubai as part of a series of visits to the global event.

He said Expo 2020 Dubai provides a bridge for uniting diverse cultures and nations around the world, enhancing international engagement and promoting the values of peace, tolerance and inclusiveness. The global event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about path breaking discoveries, innovations and creative achievements that changed the course of human history and led to greater prosperity and progress, he further said.

Accompanying Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid during the meeting and tour were Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Under the theme of ‘Connecting Minds Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai hosts the pavilions of 192 countries that showcase their culture, history, innovation and economic progress through immersive experiences.

At the Paraguayan pavilion, Sheikh Mohammed met with Mario Abdo Benitez, the President of Paraguay, who is visiting the UAE to participate in the country’s National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai. The two leaders explored ways to enhance bilateral ties and deepen economic cooperation against the backdrop of the emergence of new investment opportunities in various fields. They discussed the possibility of new partnerships in the areas of sustainable development, renewable energy and innovation, and explored avenues for cultural and knowledge exchange. He said expanding the UAE’s relationship with Paraguay will help consolidate broader ties between the region and Latin American countries.

During their tour of the pavilion, Sheikh Mohammed  and President Benitez were briefed on various exhibits focused on water, renewable energy, and mobility. The Paraguay pavilion details the strategic potential of water in the country when it comes to renewable energy as well as how Paraguay connects to the world via its rivers and food production. The country’s principal exports are food and hydroelectricity. The pavilion also highlights its cultural riches, sustainable development and new business opportunities.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed also visited the Syrian pavilion located in the Mobility District of Expo 2020. Under the theme, ‘We Will Rise Together’, the pavilion showcases Syria’s history, civilisation and future aspirations. The pavilion presents Syria as an influential country that has contributed immensely to the evolution of mankind.

It showcases the development of a few of the world’s first agricultural societies in Syria, dating back to about 15,000 BC. Visitors to the pavilion can also explore Syria’s role in developing early techniques for counting and recording that preceded writing by using numbers made of clay. Visitors to the Syrian pavilion can also see an identical replication of the Ugaritic alphabet dating back to nearly 1,400 BC and learn about the development of early writing systems and alphabets across the country.

Paraguay National Day: The Republic of Paraguay is lining up a host of activities on the country’s economy and investment opportunities at its pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai, culminating in the celebration of the National Day on Friday (March 4, 2022).

In a statement, officials of the Paraguay Pavilion said the events will seek to highlight and place the South American country’s business prospects in terms of investment, export potential and salient products in the context of the global trade framework in line with the spirit of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Significant among the events will be the Paraguayan National Day celebrations at the Al Wasl Dome, in the presence of Mario Abdo Benítez, President of the Republic of Paraguay along with  Luis Alberto Castiglioni, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Raúl Cano Ricciardi, Vice Minister of Economics Relations and Integration (MOFA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event will also be attended by over 80 business delegates from Paraguay, and high-ranking government representatives of the UAE.

“Expo 2020, which is in the final month, has been an immense opportunity for Paraguay to bring the world’s attention on the country’s economy, culture, food, tourism and investment opportunities. The events on March 3 and 4, will help us further to consolidate our achievements at Expo,” said José Agüero Ávila, Commissioner General of the Paraguay Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Commissioner Agüero said Paraguay has been able to use the Expo platform to reach out to countries that do not have diplomatic or commercial relations with it, within the strategic plan of the National Foreign Ministry of Paraguay.

On Thursday, Paraguay hosted a Business Forum to promote the unique reputation of the Paraguayan economy, the export potential of the country and the incentives available for investors. The forum was graced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Luis Castiglioni, the Vice Minister of Investments and Exports (Rediex), Estefanía Laterza, the president of the Central Bank of Paraguay, José Cantero, and other delegates from Paraguay.

 “The strategic focus of the forum was on Paraguay as a preferred destination for investment and the country’s openness to trade and business. In fact, our economic partnership with the UAE is now on a robust expansion and the Expo 2020 Dubai has been largely instrumental for this.  During these months of Expo, we have also been able to forge relationships with many participant countries which will led to mutually beneficial growth and development,” said José Agüero.

Paraguay also hosted a `Night of Paraguayan Meat’ to showcase the premium quality of Paraguayan meat to the local and regional markets.

Paraguay, described as the `world’s happiest place’ at the Expo Dubai, seeks to explore investment opportunities and the strategic potential of water in generating renewable energy.