Sheikh Nahyan speaks during the Brazil National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has stated that the UAE, represented by its wise leadership and people, is keen to convey its message of peace and tolerance to the entire world.

Sheikh Nahyan commended to the UAE’s successful experience, which extends for nearly 50 years, noting that the homeland will always be a role model in developing human values and principles based on coexistence and brotherhood, and rejecting all forms of intolerance and hatred.

He said that the celebration of the International Day for Tolerance coincides this year with the UAE’s hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, which represents an opportunity to convey the UAE’s message to the world, achieving positive communication between the peoples of the world, and providing opportunities for cooperation and joint work for the good of all. Sheikh Nahyan added that the National Festival of Tolerance, an annual festival organised by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence to celebrate this day, is an important announcement that the UAE is interested in cooperating with all countries and organisations to spread tolerance.

Today, the UAE is joining the entire world in its celebration of the International Day for Tolerance, as it was keen this year to keep pace with this occasion through the National Festival of Tolerance at Expo 2020 Dubai, in conjunction with the Tolerance and Inclusivity Week.

Among the activities to be launched are the Global Tolerance Alliance and the Joint World Summit of Religions, themed “Towards a Compassionate World through Interreligious Tolerance and Understanding”.

Prominent international leaders from the UN, the Vatican, and Al Azhar Al Sharif, along with leaders of different religions and laws, and prominent thinkers from different countries of the world will be attending.

The international activities of the Festival will continue until 20th November, including the Global Tolerance Choir, the Global Youth Forum, the Tolerance and Inclusivity Conference for Women’s Rights and Empowerment, and Zayed Trail of Tolerance.

The UAE was ranked among the top 20 countries in the world in eight indexes of competitiveness related to tolerance and coexistence during 2020.

The UAE ranked fourth in the tolerance with foreigners index according to the report of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index issues by INSEAD. It was ranked fifth globally in the Globalisation Attitudes Index in both the IMD World Digital Competitiveness ranking and in the World Competitiveness Yearbook.

The country ranked seventh in the Social Cohesion Index according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook and 11th in the Tolerance of Minorities Index according to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index report. The World Competitiveness Yearbook also ranked it 11th in the Resilience and Adaptation Index.

On the state’s social responsibility towards citizens and residents, the UAE ranked 12th in the world according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook. In July 2015, a decree was issued to combat discrimination and hatred aimed at enriching global tolerance and confronting manifestations of discrimination and racism of whatever nature, ethnic, religious or cultural.

In 2016, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Tolerance Programme, which aims to enrich the culture of tolerance and confront manifestations of discrimination and racism through a solid legal system for an environment of coexistence, acceptance and tolerance.

On June 21, 2017, the UAE issued a law establishing the International Institute for Tolerance, and the World Council of Muslim Communities was established in 2018.

The UAE also designated 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, and that year witnessed the historic meeting between His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi, who issued the “Document on Human Fraternity.” The UAE has translated its supportive approach to spreading the values of tolerance and peace by launching a set of international awards that celebrate efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence. In this context, the UAE has launched the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Tolerance and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace and the UAE International Award for Poets of Peace.

Exploring tolerance: The Swiss Pavilion explores tolerance through the lens of cultural heritage preservation at the Expo 2020 Dubai’s Tolerance and Inclusivity Week until November 20, highlighting how past heritage helps craft a better future.

The Swiss Pavilion in collaboration with Swissnex brought experts from Switzerland and the Middle East to take part in the panel “Inspiration from the past for a better future: How can preserving cultural heritage safeguard tolerance in our societies?”, which highlighted the research of the Collart-Palmyra Project from the University of Lausanne. The project consists of a digital restoration of the Baalshamin temple in Palmyra, Syria materials from the archives of the Swiss archaeologist Paul Collart who documented the site in the 1930s-60s.

The panel was opened by Massimo Baggi, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in the presence of Mr. Ali Al Shaali - Acting Assistant undersecretary for Heritage and Arts Sector, Ministry of Culture and Youth. The panel brought together a range of international experts, including lecturer Patrick Michel at University of Lausanne, who presented the Collart-Palmyra Project, Dr. Zaki Aslan, Regional Representative of ICCROM for the Arab States, Mr. Valery Freland, Executive Director of the ALIPH International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas and Prof. Grazia Tucci, director of the GECO Laboratory – Geomatics for Environment and Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

“Our exhibition and panel on the importance of cultural heritage highlight Switzerland’s commitment to preserving cultural and natural sites of exceptional universal value for future generations and to fostering dialogue and tolerance around the world”, said Swiss ambassador Massimo Baggi.

Until 20 November, visitors can discover the exhibition on tolerance and inclusivity in the Swiss Pavilion, which features the work Collart-Palmyra Project and the Rafisa ICT 4 Autism programme for vocational education in the ICT field for people in the spectrum of autism.

Brazil celebrates National Day: Brazil presented an impressive line-up of cultural and entertainment activities on Monday to mark its expo 2020 National Day during the visit by the country’s President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Brazilian President was welcomed by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of expo 2020 Dubai.

President Jair Bolsonaro, said: “It is wonderful to be here to celebrate Brazil’s expo 2020 National Day event - it offers an amazing opportunity for Brazil to showcase itself to the world. This expo is an exciting place for the 192 participating nations to unveil their latest technologies and to do business.”

“We enjoy friendly relations with, and admire, the UAE very much. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our collaborations have managed to ensure many successes and achievements in several fields. We aim to continue to strengthen our relations and work together in various spheres, such as food security and technology.”

Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak, said: “Brazil is known for various global achievements, particularly in mega-events - having hosted two World Cups - and for being the country with the most World Cup wins. It is also the founder of a much-loved sport in the UAE, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is why, for expo 2020, Brazil chose to highlight another unique side of its prominence, which is its unparalleled biodiversity, hence, its choice of ‘Together for Sustainable Development’ as its expo theme.”

“Brazil’s pavilion within the Sustainability district brings to us a modern recreation of the Amazon basin, with all the sights, sounds and scents of the country’s riverside. With a rather unique architecture, the pavilion represents a stilt house, commonly found along the banks of the Amazon, and is built around a walkable water blade, evoking the waters of Brazil here in Dubai and offering an immersive experience and a unique journey through Brazil’s abundant opportunities. As such, Brazil’s participation addresses key topics of mutual interest, including biodiversity, agriculture, sustainable cities, the green economy, resource efficiency and more as a means to achieve future growth and development.”

expo 2020 visitors were treated to live performances and traditional Brazilian food at Al Wasl Plaza, the Brazil Pavilion and at venues across the expo site. The day included a World Record attempt for the largest jiu-jitsu lesson at Jubilee Park and 13 other locations across the UAE. President Bolsonaro also delivered a speech at a Business Forum in the morning while the First Lady attended an event at the Women’s Pavilion.

National and Honour Days at expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each its 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.

WAM