Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, received on Thursday in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, who is visiting the UAE and is currently participating in the United Kingdom's celebrations of its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Crown Prince of Dubai welcomed Prince William on his first official visit to the country, stressing the UAE's pride in the strong historical relations that have long brought the two countries together, and the desire to push the Emirati-British partnership forward in various fields, including sustainability and environmental preservation.
He expressed his appreciation for the great efforts led by Prince William in the same field, and the important initiatives he presented that open the way to strengthening international partnership in order to preserve a sustainable future for the planet.
Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that the issue of preserving the environment and biodiversity is one of the priorities that the UAE attaches great importance to. and put it at the forefront of the national action agenda, believing in the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.
Sheikh Hamdan and Prince William pose for a photograph at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan stressed Dubai's pride in supporting one of the most prominent initiatives launched by Prince William, the "United to Protect Wildlife" initiative, through the participation of DP World (DP World) as a major partner for the initiative, which reflects Dubai and the UAE are committed to supporting all international efforts to ensure the highest levels of sustainability and wildlife conservation.
Prince William speaks with Sheikh Hamdan during a tour at the Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
During the meeting, the tireless efforts made by the state in the field of sustainability and conservation of wildlife and environmental diversity were reviewed, and the care given by the Emirate of Dubai to this field, which is evident through the laws and legislation in force in the emirate in order to preserve wildlife, and the interest in establishing reserves and providing natural habitats for the proliferation of wildlife, especially species at risk of extinction, as well as efforts to preserve marine environmental life, and combat practices that would harm the environment in general, in an effort to present a leading regional and global model for balanced development that considers environmental sustainability as one of its most important priorities.
Sheikh Hamdan welcomes Prince William during a visit to the Emirati Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
For his part, Prince William expressed his appreciation for the pioneering model presented by the UAE in the field of sustainable development. He also stressed his happiness to be in the UAE and to participate in the UK's National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai, noting the UAE's hosting of this major global event and the value it represents.
Royal guard march in front of the UK Pavilion during Britain national day ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
It is added as a platform for inclusive dialogue aimed at reaching common visions on issues related to the future of man, the most important of which is the issue of environmental sustainability, and what it calls for concerted efforts in order to reach effective solutions to the cross-border challenges that this issue faces, and to expedite the creation of alternatives that guarantee the preservation of the environment and guarantee its sustainability.
Artists wearing dummies stand in front of UK pavilion during Britain national day ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
After the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan and Prince William toured the Emirates Pavilion, where the guest prince was acquainted with the most important axes on which the pavilion focuses and embody important stations and features of the development process in the country, and shed light on the connection of the people of the Emirates with their environment, culture, heritage and values Openness, optimism and flexibility, as well as the state's efforts in the field of sustainability and preservation of the environment and natural resources.