Natural wonders

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on Monday toured the Montenegro Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and learned about the country’s natural wonders and rich biodiversity, showcased at the site.

The Minister was briefed on Montenegro’s environmental protection efforts, aimed at preserving natural resources and biodiversity, that are being implemented and expanded by the current government that was elected in Q3 2020.

As the home to 3,250 species of plants and hundreds of marine and terrestrial animal species, Montenegro is one of the world’s richest biodiversity hubs and one of the most important ecotourism destinations in Eastern Europe. The country boasts five national parks and 72 protected areas.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) was established in February 2006 as the Ministry of Environment and Water. Under its redefined scope, the ministry has taken on a dual mandate.

On the national level, it aims to strengthen the UAE’s efforts in preserving the environment and promoting food diversity in accordance with the nation’s aspiration to emerge as a key benchmark for sustainable development.

On the global level, MOCCAE joins international stakeholders in combating climate change and profiles the UAE’s path-breaking achievements in the sector at thought leadership platforms worldwide.

Meanwhile, a love of nature is something very much on display across a range of pavilions at Expo, with each offering their own interpretation of greenery, forests and animals.

The Singapore Pavilion, for example, houses more than 170 species of plants, as seen on everything from hanging gardens to vertical walls. To achieve this green, multi-layered landscaping look, many plants were procured from Dubai nurseries for pre-growing from 2019, and more than 150 trees and palm trees were planted on-site.

In the Malaysia Pavilion, visitors are surrounded by three ‘green walls’, or small vertical gardens, as they walk down the winding slope that leads them to the galleries within.

A rainforest-style hall, surrounded by some 3,000 trees, immerses visitors with the visuals and acoustics of thunderstorms, fog and animal calls, as well as flowing water and abundant foliage, while 3D projection maps show the many famous animal species in the country.

Then the Sweden Pavilion, itself referred to as ‘The Forest’, features 2,500 cubic metres of wood from the S?derb?rke locality, designed to reduce carbon emissions and express the Swedish way of life. The design channels the diversity and breadth of the forest, with small open spaces, and even treehouses. Sweden claims to plant more trees than it cuts down, with forests representing more than 70 per cent of the country’s landscape.

Next is the Cambodia Pavilion, with a virtual visit to the beach, and the sounds of waves and seagulls. Visitors can also learn about the agricultural sector, which is essential to the economy, and the most important crops and seeds produced by the country, as well as the tools used.

The Suriname Pavilion, representing the smallest country in Latin America - yet one where forests cover 93 per cent of the land - is also worth a look. Here, visitors can wander between waterfalls and greenery, learn about the local wildlife the state is trying to protect from extinction, and discover rare species.

Meanwhile, with the successful opening of Expo 2020 Dubai last October 1, 2021, the China Pavilion being one of the largest, has emerged as one of the most popular pavilion attracting thousands of visitors daily.

As one of China’s successful business centers and one of the most economically potential cities in the country, Shenzhen’s industries, brands and products are promoted during the EXPO to enhance the economic and trade exchanges between Shenzhen and MENA.

In line with this, the Shenzhen Products Show will be held at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry Building from 11-13 January 2022 and the event is hosted by Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shenzhen Committee and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event is part of the “Shenzhen Day” of the China Pavilion and the objective is to maximize the use of the EXPO in promoting the city’s products and industries. With the theme of “Shenzhen Design, Shenzhen Intelligent Manufacturing and Shenzhen Quality”, the event will showcase 3 key sectors including Consumer Electronics, Life and Health, and Intelligent Security.

Over 50 Shenzhen Brand companies will display more than 350 high-tech products including smart phones, mobile phone accessories, switches, tablets, led walls, UAVs, microprocessors, batteries, tablet boards, audio, headphones, game consoles, electronic toys, electronic sphygmomanometers, infrared thermometers, smart weight meters, solar panels, protective masks and many more, thousands of visitors are expected to participate this exhibition for cutting-edge technologies.

An online platform was also created for the event where exhibiting companies and their products can be viewed in advance: https://app.meetby.net/shenzhen.

Furthermore, high-Tech seminars will be held during the event and pre-registered visitors will also get chance to be invited to visit the China pavilion at Expo 2020.

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.