Sheikh Mohammed meets Director General of UNESCO at Expo 2020 on Tuesday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday met Audrey Azoulay, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (UNESCO), at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The meeting was held in the presence of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security and Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Member of Dubai Council.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Azoulay and congratulated her on her re-election as director general of UNESCO for a second four-year term. His Highness praised the collaboration between the UAE and UNESCO, in light of their common vision to preserve human heritage while supporting development. The meeting also highlighted the UAE’s efforts in preserving and protecting global heritage through several projects and initiatives.

Sheikh Mohammed also praised the UNESCO’s decision to adopt 2 December as ‘World Futures Day’, which coincides with the UAE’s National day. The choice of the date is a sign of appreciation for the UAE’s global role over the past 50 years to imagine and create the future, as well as its exceptional experience in anticipating economic, industrial and social change and its high readiness in future sectors.

Sheikh Mohammed also expressed the hope that the UAE and UNESCO can further expand their collaboration for the benefit of the international community.

The Director General of UNESCO congratulated the UAE on its 50th National Day, and extended her best wishes to the UAE and its people for further development and prosperity.

Azoulay also praised the UAE for its contributions to preserving global heritage. She commended the UAE for the progress it has achieved in the field of gender balance, which has placed the country among the leading nations to achieve UNESCO’s Education for All objectives that were adopted in Dakar in the year 2000.

The Director General of UNESCO also expressed the hope that the UAE and UNESCO can further strengthen their collaboration, as part of their commitment to preserve the world’s cultural heritage.

Mohammed meets Fiji’s PM: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday met Fiji’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, at the country’s Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, held in the presence of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security, Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Fiji’s Prime Minister and conveyed his sincere congratulations to the President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Katonivere for being sworn in as the President of the country.

The two leaders discussed ties between the UAE and Fiji and explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama extended his congratulations to the UAE on the occasion of its 50th National Day and expressed his best wishes for the nation’s continued prosperity and progress. He also commended the constructive cooperation between the two countries and conveyed his country’s keenness to further strengthen its relations with the UAE.

During the tour of the Fiji Pavilion, located in the Opportunity District, Sheikh Mohammed and Fiji’s Prime Minister were briefed about the Pavilion’s exhibits that highlight the country’s efforts to tackle the impact of climate change. The Pavilion also showcases the country’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Sheikh Mohammed also toured the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2020. Under the theme “Beauty connects People”, the Italian Pavilion embraces the concept of reusable design with three full-size, seaworthy boat hulls as its roof and a facade of nautical ropes made from recycled plastic. The Pavilion incorporates reusable design into its structure - via the use of organic elements such as orange peel and coffee grounds in the construction materials - and has a natural climate mitigation system that uses shading, misting and ventilation to replace air conditioning.

UAE, Costa Rica sign MoUs: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica, witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance strategic partnerships between their countries.

The MoUs, signed at Expo 2020 Dubai, aim to boost cooperation in economic and technical sectors, promote entrepreneurship, sustainability and environment conservation, as well as the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two nations.

The first MoU between the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica, aimed at promoting collaboration in the field of SME and entrepreneurship, and was signed by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Victoria Hernandez Mora, Minister of Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica.

Another MoU between the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica was signed for cooperation in the areas of conservation and the protection of endangered species.

The MoU was signed by Al Hashemy and Rodolfo Solano Quiros, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica.

Al Hashemy and Quiros also signed an MoU aimed at boosting collaboration in the area of accreditation. The MoU was signed between the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Costa Rica Accreditation Authority.

Global Business Forum ASEAN: The first-ever Global Business Forum (GBF) ASEAN - a dedicated conference that focuses on trade and commerce between Dubai and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - to kick off on Wednesday, with attendees from around the world gathering in Dubai to discuss new avenues of economic cooperation between the UAE and ASEAN countries.

Organised by Dubai Chamber in partnership with Expo 20202 Dubai, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the two-day GBF ASEAN will be held under the theme The New Frontiers. The event explores the wealth of bilateral business opportunities that exist between Dubai and the 10-member ASEAN region as the world progressively emerges from the global pandemic.

High-level delegates joining the event include Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications; Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chambers; Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber; Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, and Prof. Romano Prodi, President, Italy-ASEAN Association.

“GBF ASEAN is the newest addition to Dubai Chamber’s flagship Global Business Forum, which explores emerging markets around the world. As Dubai welcomes the world for Expo 2020 Dubai, it’s an ideal time to turn our attention to the dynamic and fast-growing ASEAN economies, which offer tremendous potential that UAE companies can benefit from,” Hamad Buamim , adding that the forum is an ideal platform for fostering cross-border cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships that drive sustainable growth.