His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, echoing the sentiment of world leaders attending Expo 2020 Dubai, has lauded the event as a catalyst for positive change that brought together 192 countries on a global platform to work towards building a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable future for all.

Commenting on the vision driving the UAE’s convening of Expo 2020 Dubai, His Highness said: “As a meeting ground for global changemakers, Expo 2020 Dubai served to unite a community that shared a common vision for growth, development, and the power of partnership in transforming our world. We deeply appreciate the active participation of countries seeking to collaborate in overcoming joint challenges and achieving better outcomes for all through multilateral approaches.”

His Highness’s comments echoed those made by world leaders and high-level dignitaries throughout Expo 2020 Dubai, who hailed the event as an incredible platform for global collaboration – an achievement even more remarkable given the event took place during the global pandemic.

Expo 2020 Dubai successfully showcased the unique cultures, innovations and stories of participating countries as they celebrated their Expo 2020 Dubai National Days at the iconic Al Wasl Dome and across the Expo site. Heads of state and leading officials praised Expo 2020 Dubai, hailing it as an incredible platform for global collaboration.

International cooperation

Her Excellency Hon Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai brings together the people of the world in the midst of a global pandemic, at a very difficult and uncertain time in human civilisation. The one way to come out of this period is by building bridges and respecting diversity in our world. This World Expo is the platform and a microcosm of what is possible when we come together and recognise that our common humanity binds us, there is much more that we have in common than separates us.”

About the gamut of opportunities offered by the World Expo for joint action towards a more prosperous future, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, said: “This Expo has really set the bar extremely high on how countries’ businesses and organisations should collaborate in their diversity, and exchange knowledge, as well as solutions to build a better world for all. Botswana has benefited immensely from the cultural experience, social and economic exchanges with other countries through cultural displays, music, arts, presentations and collaborations inspired by none other than the Expo 2020 Dubai theme.

His Excellency Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is a powerful catalyst for bringing people together, to explore and harness new boundaries of technologies for good, to showcase our varied yet similar cultural expressions, to give voice to our future ambitions and to exchange ideas – all of which is consistent with the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

His Majesty King Letsie III, King of Lesotho, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai will succeed in its noble mission of ‘Connecting Minds’, and as a result of that achievement, an incubator will be created that will hatch sustainable solutions to our common problems – solutions that will hopefully create a more prosperous and peaceful future for us all.”

His Excellency General Hon David Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, said: “Showcased here [at Expo 2020 Dubai] is the ingenuity, creativity and capacity for technological advancement, underpinned by an appreciation of history and culture. It reminds us that we are responsible for creating the future for generations to come … and it points to the considerable opportunities of the future and what is possible when we are open, connected and optimistic.”

Beacon of hope

Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations, said: “At a time when there is a dark cloud, you have presented a real vision for what we can do to recover better, for how the world can look beyond the UAE – beyond your neighbourhood – into this global community. You’ve given hope and a sense of dignity to everyone that has participated in this Expo.”

Describing Expo 2020 Dubai as a ray of hope that broke through the darkness imposed by COVID-19, His Excellency Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, said: “[Expo 2020] is a beacon for global optimism, for responsible and sustainable world development, for nations standing together against adversity, for personal and collaborative creativity, for the unique beauty of human harmony and – most importantly – friendship, communication and recognition that – when it comes to determining a healthy future for planet Earth – we are all in this together, from the largest nation to the smallest.”

His Excellency Muhammad Lutfi, Minister of Trade for Indonesia, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai and all its successes represent courage, hope and optimism for all humanity. The COVID pandemic has disrupted all nations. Now is the time to recover together. Expo 2020 could not have come at a more opportune time. What we are seeing today is a demonstration of our ability to create things that we have never seen before.”

His Excellency Santiago Andres Cafiero, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Argentina, said: “My congratulations to the UAE on organising the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, and thank you, in the words of Sheikh Nahayan, for believing once more in the harmony of cooperation to realise a shared dream. In a world split by COVID-19, this Expo has been a light at the end of the tunnel shining, like the ring His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, [Vice President and] Prime Minister [of the UAE] and Ruler of Dubai, found in the desert, which inspired the design of Al Wasl Plaza.”

His Excellency Macky Sall, President of Senegal, said: “Our world, plunged into a deep economic gloom, certainly needs this ray of light to bring back some colour and help rebuild hope for a better future. In this sense, the universal Expo is both a showcase for nations and a factor for peace and dialogue between cultures and civilisations. This is what Expo 2020 is all about.”

Hosting an exceptional World Expo during a pandemic

Acknowledging the UAE’s success in delivering Expo 2020 Dubai amid a pandemic that touched every corner of the world, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, said: “I want to congratulate [the UAE] for this Expo, because at a time when we see COVID-19 and so many threats and issues, organising the Expo here and making it a success – because it’s already a success – is good for your country. It’s good for everybody.”

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, said: “Pulling off the organisation of such a major event … would be a major feat at any moment in time. But doing so in a period of uncertainty, such as the last 18 months, is an incredible accomplishment.”

UAE values and culture

His Majesty King Philippe Leopold Louis Marie, King of Belgium, said: “The UAE has proudly become a global centre at a crossroads of culture, while keeping its own unique culture. Belgium is proud of having been at your side, as a partner and friend, and looks forward to contributing to the realisation of the Emirati dream. Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the first major events since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. What you have achieved is truly impressive.”

His Excellency Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is turning into reality the hope for a sustainable future. The UAE’s endeavours that put into practice environmental integrity and sustainability will deeply inspire the world as it is poised to usher in a post-pandemic era. The first ever [World] Expo in the Middle East has been transformed into a festival, forward-looking into the future by the leaders and the people of the UAE.”

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation