Expo 2020 reflects UAE’s ethos of bringing together nations: Mohammed

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday toured the pavilions of Greece, Australia, Slovak Republic and Estonia at Expo 2020.

Speaking during the tour, Sheikh Mohammed said, “Expo 2020 has created a wonderful platform for celebrating the richness, breadth and diversity of human ingenuity and culture.”

“The organisation of this mega global event reflects the UAE’s ethos of bringing together nations to generate new ideas and explore partnerships for shaping a glorious future for the entire world.”

“By displaying the best of their innovation, excellence and resourcefulness, nations participating in Expo 2020 have an unparalleled opportunity to forge new collaborations for promoting more sustainable and innovation driven growth. Taking place at a critical juncture in human history, Expo 2020 offers hope for creating a new destiny for our planet.”

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied on the tour by  Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council;  Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

During his visit to the Greek Pavilion, located in the Sustainability District, Sheikh Mohammed was introduced to exhibits that highlight the country’s profile as a cultured and productive state with a modern economy, as well as a valuable international partner. Drawing inspiration from the legend of Ariadne’s Thread and bearing the theme: ‘Greece Paves the Way’, the Pavilion showcases the country’s success as an emerging centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Pavilion offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the key pillars of the nation’s economy and society, and how it transitioned from antiquity to the Greece of tomorrow.

At the Australian Pavilion, located in the Mobility District, His Highness was introduced to an immersive experience that allows visitors to learn about the story of the nation’s diversity, taking them on a journey of the country’s ingenuity and innovation through thousands of years - linking ancient indigenous know-how to modern day discovery and invention.

The design of the Pavilion takes inspiration from the cumulus cloud, a feature of the diverse Australian landscape. The cloud’s structural elements signify the way in which Australia is home to multiple cultures that unify and enhance the nation.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the pavilion of the Slovak Republic located in the Mobility District, which highlights the country’s advances in the aviation and space industries with a particular emphasis on the unique hydrogen technologies being developed there. Among the special exhibits, the pavilion features a hydrogen-powered passenger car, utilising technology intended to revolutionise the passenger, freight and public transport sectors. According to the Pavilion’s creators, the Slovak Republic’s goal is to fundamentally shift hydrogen mobility and increase the safety of this form of transport. The central European nation is also hosting displays on aviation and space technologies.

In the Mobility District, Sheikh Mohammed also visited the pavilion of Estonia, where the country is presenting its e-services and e-governance. By embracing everything from cashless payments to blockchain, the country is a trailblazer in the new economy.

The Estonia pavilion presents the e-solutions the country has embraced and showcases the country as a lab where new ideas can be tried and start-ups can be launched.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,  on Wednesday met with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who is visiting the UAE to attend the official opening of the country’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and celebrate its national day on 3 November 2021.

During the meeting, which took place at the Netherlands Pavilion, Sheikh Hamdan and the King of the Netherlands discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop it in various sectors. They also discussed new avenues to enhance trade and share expertise for the benefit of the people of the two nations.

The meeting also explored opportunities for greater collaboration in the field of sustainability, which is a vital strategic sector for the UAE. Sustainability is also a key focus of the Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed and King Willem-Alexander toured the Netherlands Pavilion located in Expo 2020’s Sustainability District. Designed as a biotope, the Pavilion gives visitors a unique sensory experience. The climate system featured in the Pavilion and its unique design allow visitors to experience the connection between water, energy and food.

The Pavilion also showcases innovative solutions to global issues like water scarcity, food security and energy transition. Though presented on a small scale in the Pavilion’s biotope, they have the potential to be developed on a large scale. With a view to keeping the Pavilion’s carbon footprint as low as possible, many of the materials used are reusable, recyclable or biodegradable. Inside the Pavilion, the floor and wall of the lounge area were designed and executed using a new bio-based building material made of mycelium. These innovations, which make the Pavilion a true showcase of sustainability and circularity, enable visitors to experience the Netherlands’ expertise in uniting water, energy and food.

A Dutch business delegation, comprising of nearly 50 companies from the water, sustainable energy, food, urban development and logistics sectors, is currently visiting Dubai to further explore partnerships and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the fourth edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS2021) will convene chief executive officers and senior leaders from some of the largest global and local corporations to explore the latest advances in manufacturing technologies.

The Summit, which will take place from 22nd to 23rd November at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai, will gather over 125 leaders from local, regional, and global governments and organisations to explore the evolving integration of humans and machines, reinventing businesses, repurposing capabilities, and rewiring societies. It will spotlight topics such as Society 5.0, increasing digital mobility at work, sustainable manufacturing, gender equality, and the potential of Energy as a Service.

Global CEOs and senior executives confirmed to speak at GMIS2021 include, Patrick Byrne, CEO of GE Digital; Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of France’s Thales Group; Luka Mucic Member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer of SAP; Steven A. Kiefer, Senior Vice President and President of General Motors International; Andy Purdy, Jr., Chief Security Officer of Huawei Technologies; Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman of Motherson Group; Bob Moritz, Global Chairman of PwC; Marc Engel, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Unilever; David Rafalovsky, CTO, Global Head of Operations Technology, and EVP of Sberbank; and Arkady Dvorkovich, Chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation and Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. The Summit will also welcome a line-up of speakers from some of the UAE’s largest organisations, including Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail; Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company LNG, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium; Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank; Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42; and Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, CEO of Emirates Steel.

Steven Kiefer, President of GM International, added, “The global automotive industry is undergoing one of the most significant changes in its history, with significant advancements in the technology that will deliver safer, more efficient and zero-emissions technologies. The integration of software and hardware lies at the heart of this transformation, as we reinvent the vehicle ownership experience. The upcoming GMIS2021 in the UAE this November presents a unique and exciting opportunity to bring many players together to discuss our opportunities for innovation, economic growth and a cleaner future.”

Patrick Byrne, CEO of GE Digital, said, “Recent global events have spurred changes in the manufacturing industry, including enormous opportunities for digital transformation. As leaders from across countries and industries prepare to gather in the UAE this November, we have an exciting opportunity to develop a new global agenda for economic revival and industrial innovation that bring digital solutions, lean practices, and a focus on safety to the forefront. I look forward to interacting with industry experts at GMIS2021 to discuss solutions and collaborations for a bright future.”

Senior industry leaders from the UAE attending GMIS2021 include Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director-General, Dubai Economy; Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World; Ismail Ali Abdulla, CEO of Strata; Mansoor Janahi, CEO of Sanad; Khaleefa Al Mheiri, Acting CEO of Taziz; Saud Abu Al Shawareb, Managing Director of Dubai Industrial City; Prof. Eric Xing, President of the UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI); and Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of TAQA.

CEOs and industry leaders will be joined by ministers and senior policymakers from across the world, including the UAE, Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, Cambodia, and Cameroon to name a few.

Badr Al Olama, Head of the GMIS Organising Committee, said, “Today, traditional business strategies are no longer effective. Organisations from both the private and public sector must increase their investments in cutting-edge digital strategies in order to create a lasting competitive advantage, revamp their operational models, maximise productivity and increase environmental sustainability. We are excited to welcome like-minded partners from all over the world to the UAE and look forward to engaging in thought provoking debates.”