A message of future cooperation: South Sudan celebrates its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

The Republic of South Sudan celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on Saturday, with a visit by President Salva Kiir Mayardit bringing a message of future cooperation from the land of opportunities. The celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza included a flag-raising ceremony and a vibrant cultural performance.

The South Sudan President was welcomed by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

President Mayardit said, “Showcasing South Sudan here in Dubai is just the tip of the iceberg. We have a lot to share with the world in both cultural and economic areas. The richness of our country’s cultural heritage and its biodiversity is known in very limited circles. The Sudd Swamp is the largest freshwater wetland in the Nile Basin, and is the habitat for unique wildlife. Our game reserves are home to some of the greatest mammals in Africa. Along with our vast agricultural land and abundant minerals, it is clear that we are a country of enormous potential.

“The message I bring to the UAE is that South Sudan is ready for investment, in sectors of agriculture and tourism. One of the companies that recognised our potential earlier is Al Ain Group, investing in Boma National Park, and I would like to extend my gratitude to them. That engagement in the wildlife chapter was, and still remains, one of the surest paths to development in South Sudan. Despite various challenges, my government will continue to seek strong partnerships within our wildlife conservation sector. We look forward to working with people looking to invest in South Sudan.” Sheikh Nahyan said, “Through its participation, South Sudan promotes its history and cultural heritage through various forms of art and literature, and narrates its own story as a land of progress and ample opportunities to offer the world.

“We look forward to expanding our cooperation and the exchange of expertise with South Sudan across various areas of shared interest, such as education, bilateral trade and government modernisation, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing of our people.” The Orupaap Performing Group - one of the most prominent cultural institutions in South Sudan - performed at the Stage of Nations, providing glimpses of historical traditions, including the ceremonies of cultivation in agriculture. Visitors were treated to the sounds from Western Bahr El Ghazal, through the Kingdom of Azande, and the beats of a bass drum expressing rural life. The non-stop rhythmic song and dance to the lively drum beat provided a snapshot of the rich culture of the African nation.

The South Sudan Pavilion aims to showcase the country’s unlimited potential, breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. The pavilion is designed around a photography exhibition titled ‘Through the Lens of Opportunity,' which is a three-part journey teaching visitors about the nation’s rich cultural heritage, its opportunities and history.

Noura Al Kaabi visits various pavilions: Noura Bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, visited the Greece Pavilion, which is located in the Sustainability District of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Greece Pavilion spotlights the European nation’s history, ancient civilisation and rich cultural heritage. It also showcases Greece as a modern country with a developed economy with expanding international partnerships.

The Expo is an ideal platform to showcase participating countries’ strategic goals, with its wide global participation that includes 192 countries.

During Al Kaabi’s visit, the organisers of the Greece Pavilion gave a detailed account of the pavilion which carries the theme ‘Greece paves the way’. The Greece Pavilion highlights the country’s accomplishments in the field of engineering, design and innovation, as well as the success it is witnessing in the field of entrepreneurship. At the centre of it all is a civilisation rooted in rich history that goes back millennia.

Al Kaabi also paid a visit to the Belarus Pavilion, which combines nature and technology in the Opportunity District at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The pavilion design is inspired by the green forests of Belarus and its rich natural resources. The theme of the pavilion also focuses on investment and creativity to highlight sustainability and future innovation.

She was briefed about the clever positioning of nature and technology in the pavilion, which was built under the theme ‘Forest of Future Technology’. The pavilion spans an area of about 1200 sqm, the largest Belarus pavilion by far in the history of the country’s participation at previous Expos.

The Belarus Pavilion boasts four floors with rather large expanses, which are being used for business and entertainment by the pavilion management. A number of live artistic and cultural performances have been held at the pavilion, which also houses a store for Belarusian souvenirs and artifacts.

The highlight of the pavilion is the Tree of Knowledge, which is a woven tree that stands nine metres tall at the centre of the pavilion and is made of natural wool. It symbolises the relationship between humans and nature as energy and resources are transformed into new technology, which emphasise the values of sustainability.

She also visited the Baden-Württemberg Pavilion which is the first participation for the German city as an independent pavilion in the history of Expos around the world. This southwest German city is home to more than 60 institutions for scientific research and four federal universities.

It is a destination for the most important research in the world. Baden-Württemberg also features the Cyber Valley, which is the largest of its kind in Europe, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, as research done here is turned directly into innovative applications.

She was briefed about 25 pioneering scientific innovations and projects from Baden-Württemberg, as well as paintings and images distributed on high wooden poles in the pavilion that shed light on the scientific and cultural diversity of the city. The German city is home to Daimler, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, the world’s leading luxury cars manufacturing companies. It’s also the birthplace of Einstein.

The world’s first calculator was made in 1623 in Baden-Württemberg by Wilhelm Schickard. The city records 15,000 inventions annually. The world’s first autonomously flying air taxi that completed its first test flight in Dubai in 2017, was invented in Baden-Württemberg.

WAM