An opportunity to learn from UAE

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Matsepo Ramakoae, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho, commended the strong ties between Lesotho and the UAE, commending the UAE’s remarkable efforts to host Expo 2020 Dubai, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Ramakoae said that the fact that King Letsie III of Lesotho is heading Lesotho’s delegation to Expo 2020 Dubai is a testament of her country’s keenness to enhance its relations with the UAE.

She lauded the UAE leadership’s support to women, and highlighted Expo 2020 Dubai’s role in proving to the world the importance of working together to maintain global stability and support fellow nations in returning to normalcy.

Expo 2020 Dubai is among our top priorities, which is evidenced by our King’s plans to discuss strengthening ties and cooperation with UAE government officials, she explained, noting that they wish to learn from the UAE, which has established a successful model in realising dreams and ambitions.

Ramakoae said that the Lesotho delegation, which seeks to realise the global event’s theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, includes private sector and business representatives, who will be working to emulate the UAE, which has achieved remarkable development and become a leading global hub, despite having humble beginning. She explained that the delegation will also comprise businesspersons and entrepreneurs, as well as officials, who aim to forge partnerships with their counterparts and enhance international cooperation, adding that Lesotho boasts several successful projects, which it seeks to showcase.

Our government established an infrastructure committee and organised a virtual forum to showcase to the facilities offered to investors, as well as discuss supporting Lesotho’s infrastructure projects with UAE officials, Ramakoae continued.

India-UAE enjoy strong ties: Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India visited the India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Speaking to media after the tour of the Pavilion, Shri Muraleedharan said, “This is for the first time in the history of the expos that a large number of Indians are visiting an event. The India Pavilion reflects the cultural, economic, and technological progress the country has made. It signifies India’s growth and its rise as a powerful economic force in the world.”

On space programme partnership, the Minister said that both India and the UAE have long-standing bilateral relationships across different sectors, and this is an addition to it. “India has made significant progress in space sciences and this partnership will benefit both the countries”, he added.

Speaking about the travel restrictions, Shri Muraleedharan said, “Covid is an unpredictable and unforeseen pandemic, and many countries were forced to impose travel restrictions but we are happy that we have been able to contain the spread of Covid.”

“India is leading by example as we have already given 1 billion vaccines to our people. We have also provided vaccines to 93 countries in the world. The Prime Minister has already announced that the vaccine supply that stopped during the second wave will be resumed. I am sure that in the coming days, as new cases are reducing considerably, travel restrictions will be eased. We had some consultations regarding this on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, but we will wait for the other countries to make the formal announcement”, he added.

On rehabilitation of expatriates who lost their jobs in the UAE, Shri Muraleedharan said, “The Government has already made a lot of efforts in this regard. We have introduced a skill component wherein any person who decides to resettle in India, can enter their skill capacity in the prescribed format and the data will be shared with the Ministry of Skill Development. We have also created a platform for the benefit of employers and employees but many of them have already returned or planning to return as all countries in the Gulf have started opening their borders.”

On high airfares, the Minister said that he is aware of the matter, and he would take it up with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai reflects India’s commitment to the philosophy of (Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu), which means, “May everyone, in the whole world, be happy.”

The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the biggest platforms that offers a golden opportunity to showcase India to the world and project the country as the next hub for growth and innovation.

Nestled at the Al Forsan Park adjacent to the ‘Opportunity’ district of the Expo 2020 Dubai, India Pavilion is created on the theme of “Openness. Opportunity. Growth.”

Under this, the pavilion is focusing on 11 primary themes - Climate and Biodiversity, Space, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, Golden Jubilee, Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Global Goals, Health and Wellness, Food Agriculture and Livelihoods, and Water, each having a dedicated zone all underneath one gigantic roof.

The vastness of the theme allows visitors to explore and experience India’s strengths and achievements in all its glory. Doors open from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022.

Consisting of four floors, the India Pavilion showcases latest technologies and create an ambient, futuristic environment with installations powered by augmented reality and projection mapping.

As you enter the pavilion, you will walk into a starry tunnel that will transport you to outer space for you to witness India’s journey into space. As you move further ahead, you will witness India’s achievements in the health and wellness sector, highlighting India’s vast history of Ayurveda and alternate medicine system.

The first floor will bring you to a world of mesmerizing projections and mirrors that present a kaleidoscope of India’s colours and cultural vibrance.

The second floor bears witness to India’s bilateral partnership with the UAE and the plethora of opportunities that this partnership opens up.

The third floor will open doors to the ‘Corporate India’ and its growing prowess in various sectors.

Apart from various thematic sections, The India Pavilion also hosts an amphitheatre, conference rooms, state pavilions, restaurants, souvenir shops, and much more.

The facade of the India Pavilion, one of the largest pavilions at the Expo 2020 Dubai, will symbolize ‘India on the move’.

Made up of 600 individual blocks, the facade will be using kinetic architecture - a mosaic of rotating panels that will showcase 75 stories about the history, and literature of the country over 26 weeks.

During the day, the facade will create different moving patterns to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. Every week, these patterns will take the shape of three stories of the 25 sub-themes. Evenings, will see the facade turn into a vibrant show with sound, light and projections.