RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

Etihad Airways operates first sustainability flight

Etihad Airways operated its rst passenger “sustainability ight” from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi last month to celebrate the two-year anniversary of its Greenliner Programme in partnership with Boeing.

Flight EY20, operated by the Etihad Greenliner, consumed a 38 per cent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and emitted an estimated 72 per cent less CO2 compared to a ight served by a standard B787 Dreamliner.

Guests were encouraged to play their part, receiving incentives for ying without check-in bags or with lightweight luggage.

On-board, passengers were given locally sourced dining options and provided with lightweight stainless-steel cutlery from Sola Cutlery, along with a range of carefully selected products, from crockery to in- ight meal trays to dental kits.

All products onboard were selected to ensure the highest standards of sustainability using perspectives on sourcing, weight, and a key focus on the full product lifecycle.

Guests also received personal water bottles, minimising single-use paper cups and waste during the ight. e data gathered from the aircra ’s sensors during the ight will now be added to Etihad’s growing database on ight performance, analysed using tools from Greenliner partner, GE Digital.

SONEVA FUSHI UNVEILS CARBON NEUTRAL RECYCLING STUDIO

The Maldives’ original barefoot luxury resort, Soneva Fushi, has opened Makers’ Place - a fully carbon-neutral island studio that recycles waste plastic and aluminium into works of art, as well as practical objects and building materials. The studio was built in collaboration with British artist Alexander James Hamilton, an advocate for sustainability in the Maldives for more than 35 years. A passionate ambassador for the ‘3 Rs’ (reduce, re-use, recycle), his art engages with the broader public sphere through interventions within natural landscapes and civic spaces alike, arts education, policy-making, issues of sustainability and ecocide. Makers’ Place will invite artists and guests to collaborate and unleash their creativity.

Adopt a Coral

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is inviting guests to join its Adopt a Coral initiative. It involves a fun coral-fragment plantation activity that promotes reef habitats and generates new coral. The resort has teamed up with Reefscapers, a coral propagation organisation appointed by the Maldivian Government as custodians of the coral colonies in the Gulhi Falhu lagoon, which was slated to be destroyed as part of a reclamation project.

RAK OUTLINES 2025 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AMBITION

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development

Authority (RAKTDA) has announced its Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy, positioning the emirate as a regional leader in environmentally conscious tourism by 2025. e strategy maps out key steps for the emirate to secure long-term sustainability that will drive overall tourism growth objectives and contribute directly to national and international climate change and environmental policy commitments. e guiding principles for sustainable tourism in Ras Al Khaimah include delivering authentic tourism experiences through preservation and conservation; taking an industry wide focus that provides both economic productivity and sustainable development; improving the quality of life and wellbeing of citizens and residents with a community-based approach and setting environmental goals based on minimising the industry’s carbon footprint; and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. e Sustainable Tourism Destination Strategy follows the authority’s recent announcements of more than 20 new sustainable tourism initiatives emiratewide, marking an investment of half a billion dirhams in partnership with RAK Hospitality Holding and RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ese projects are aligned to RAK’s destination strategy, which focuses on nature, leisure, adventure, accessibility and authenticity.

MANTIS TO DEBUT IN BAHRAIN WITH LUXURY ECO RESORT

ACCOR HAS SIGNED a deal to open its first Mantis-branded property on Bahrain’s Hawar Island, a resort it says will merge luxury with eco-tourism, while “redefining adventure”.

The hotel group is partnering with Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company) to develop the property on Hawar Island, which is a 45-minute boat ride from the Bahrain mainland and has been recognised by UNESCO for its natural history.

The resort will feature 72 keys including overwater villas with direct access to the sea, plus five dining concepts and extensive sports and leisure facilities such as an Adventure Park, a tennis court, a bike track, and a waterpark.

Situated on the west coast of Hawar Island, the property will be surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary, making it one of the first such environmentally focused projects and a “one-of-a-kind destination” in the Middle East.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the island’s biodiversity, which includes sand Gazelles, Arabian Oryx, multicoloured coral reefs, and endangered Dugongs. The island is also a haven for birdwatchers, attracting various migratory birds, particularly Socotra Cormorants.

Mantis properties include authentic curated hotels, eco-lodges and waterways, all of which prioritise sustainability and promote appreciation of the natural environment.

Al Baha earmarked for sustainable tourism project

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and Seera Group have signed a nancing agreement to establish and operate the Raghadan Tourist Resort, the rst sustainable tourism project in the Al Baha region – one of the main investment destinations identi ed under Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy. With its rich history, cultural heritage, climate, topography and geographic location in the south-west of Saudi Arabia, Al Baha adds another dimension to the kingdom’s tourism o ering, tapping into consumer demand for authenticity, adventure and eco escapes.

A snapshot of what to expect from some of the 192-plus country pavilions exhibiting at Expo 2020 Dubai, from insights into new technologies and sustainable practices to business and investment opportunities

The world

in one place WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

FRANCE

MOBILITY

For France, Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity for “creating new perspectives for economic development, boosting France’s attractiveness and o cially launching new innovative and sustainable projects, which will enable France to uphold its vision of new modes of mobility that are kinder to the planet and meet citizens’ needs”, explains Erik Linquier, Commissioner General for France at Expo 2020 Dubai and Chairman of COFREX.

Its enlightenment theme highlights what France has to o er – “the capacity to design and build connected regions and urban models that are adapted to meet the needs of emerging countries and the megacities created as a result”, he continues.

Linquier says the France Pavilion motto, ‘France, Lightspeed Inspiration’, underlines its objective to “inspire everyone at the speed of light: to stimulate new ideas, rethink progress, provoke emotions, and travel through history, by taking a big leap forward to the future”. e pavilion showcases French artists, entrepreneurs, academics, companies, start-ups, communities, and foundations to “develop internationally, conquer new markets and express their commitment to building a sustainable society for our collective future”.

Highlights:

■ e permanent exhibition at the heart of the pavilion presents three staged spaces dedicated to the notion of progress and pavilion theme, enlightenment. ■ A temporary exhibition, renewed every month, is dedicated to artistic expertise, presented by global names such as L’Oréal and Jean Paul Gaultier. ■ French gastronomy at the ground- oor Paris-Versailles Café, promenade kiosks at Ladurée and

Cherrier and ne-dining restaurant

Brillat-Savarin on the upper oor.

L’Oreal unveils the future of beauty at Expo

As o icial Beauty Partner, L’Oréal has joined Expo 2020 to share its vision of the future of beauty.

“ e event’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is entirely consistent with our own sense of purpose to ‘create the beauty that moves the world’, an inclusive and responsible beauty that has a positive impact on people and the planet,” – NICOLAS HIERONIMUS, L’ORÉAL CEO

L’Oréal’s prime activities at Expo include: ◆ La Maison L’Oréal Paris Beauty Concept Store in the Opportunity District highlights the brand’s 50-year mission to empower women, embodied by the famous ‘Because You’re Worth It’ tagline. Visitors are invited to relax in a Parisian art de vivre inspired café inside the store. ◆ The Kiehl’s boutique, located in Expo’s Jubilee Park, features the brand’s newest sustainable innovations, including a Refillery where for the first time, Kiehl’s customers can replenish their own aluminium bottle. ◆ L’Oréal is a partner of the World Green Economy Summit, hosted at Expo 2020 in the lead-up to COP26, with a focus on international collaboration in fighting global challenges, enhancing sustainable development and investing in the green economy.

GERMANY

OPPORTUNITY

SUSTAINABILITY

Germany is making history as the only country to be represented by two separate pavilions at the same time – CAMPUS GERMANY, located in the Sustainability District and Baden-Württemberg House, situated in the Opportunity District. Along with the chance to experience delicious German cuisine and cultural performances, visitors to CAMPUS GERMANY, the national pavilion, can explore cutting-edge connected themed areas including e Energy Lab (pictured on top), e Future City Lab and e Biodiversity Lab.

Meanwhile, the historic German state of Baden-Württemberg House is spotlighting the region’s rich history of engineering, science, innovation, business, research, tourism and culture. e birthplace of major global companies including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and other manufacturing, technology and educational heavyweights, BadenWürttemberg is also home to the evergreen scenery and traditional villages of the legendary Black Forest, which Gulf residents can now visit with travel restrictions recently li ed.

Highlights:

■ e Future Lab’s interactive exhibits showcase how the cities of the future will function. ■ Virtual Reality tourism experiences. ■ National Day celebrations on

November 29.

GERMANY/GCC FAST FACTS

In 2019, the GCC received

EUR8.8 billion (US$10.17billion)

in FDI from Germany The UAE received 70 per cent of that FDI

The value of German exports to the GCC in the first seven months of 2021 was

EUR8.9 billion ($10.29 billion)

UAE top imports from Germany for the first seven months were

road vehicles and aircraft

KSA top imports from Germany for the first seven months were

road vehicles, industrial machinery and medical products

GUINEA

SUSTAINABILITY water source, acknowledging how it has shaped Guinean history, culture and sociology. “It also presents all the investment opportunities that stem from its large water resources, notably in agroGuinea and the UAE rst established industry, energy, tourism, infrastructure,” diplomatic relations in 1995. Since remarks Seriane Kenema, Deputy then, the two countries have expanded Commissioner General of Guinea their collaboration in diverse sectors, Pavilion at Expo 2020. primarily mining. To ease travel She says the Guinean economy has between the two nations, UAE demonstrated resilience during the nationals receive a visa upon arrival at pandemic, growing six per cent in 2020 Conakry airport, to which Emirates and on track to achieve 5.6 per cent in Airline ies directly. e country is 2021, which is above the continental cementing its relationship with the and global average, so “now is a choice UAE and the wide region at Expo, time to invest in Guinea”. where its pavilion, named ‘Tap into An improved business climate is the source of West Africa’, is a nod facilitating investment, she continues, to Guinea’s nickname, ‘Water tower emphasising new incentives and a of West Africa’, due to the fact it’s strengthened legal framework that the source of the major rivers in the meets international standards. sub-region, including the Niger river, Given its tremendous mining which provides water to more than 100 resources including iron ore, gold, million people. e pavilion highlights diamonds and bauxite, FDI is focused Guinea’s responsibility to preserve this on this sector

“However, it is our ambition that through Expo Dubai, we may share with the world the numerous other opportunities for investment that the country o ers, notably in agriculture (over 13 million ha of arable land), energy (600MW potential in hydroelectricity), infrastructures, tourism and much more,” says Kenema.

Highlights:

■ An entertaining survey to challenge preconceived notions about water consumption. ■ e co-creation lab asks visitors to devise solutions to tackle development challenges. ■ 2nd edition of the Guinea

Investment Forum from February 11 to 14. ■ Guinea’s ministers will participate in Expo themed weeks including rural and urban development (November), travel and connectivity (January) and water (March).

ABOVE: The Guinea Pavilion

DID YOU KNOW?

The Guinea Alumina Corporation, the result of a US$5 billion agreement between Guinea and the UAE to develop a bauxite mine, an alumina refinery and build a port to provide raw materials for UAE-based aluminum plants, generates an estimated $700 million annually.

INDIA

AL FORSAN

e India Pavilion is displaying Hon’ble Prime Shri Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “New India” to the world. He says the country’s ghtback against COVID-19 and the reforms ushered in by the government during the pandemic has set the stage for a sustained high growth phase, with India on course to becoming a $5 trillion economy. Modi has also made a clarion call for attaining a sustainable growth paradigm for India over the next 25 years and to be among the frontrunners in creating a safe and prosperous world. e India Pavilion embodies all of these sentiments, providing insight into the country’s cultural diversity, ancient treasures, business achievements, and cutting-edge technologies across Space Technology, Robotics, Electric Mobility, Edu-tech, e-Commerce, Energy, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Cryptocurrency and Blockchain. One of the largest pavilions at Expo, India’s structure has an innovative kinetic façade comprising 600 individual colourful blocks. It is developed as a mosaic of rotating panels that depict di erent themes as they rotate on their axis. It represents the theme of ‘India on the move’ and is a unique amalgam of the rich heritage and technological advances of the nation.

Highlights:

■ e ‘Indian Innovation Hub’ is a platform for budding innovators and startups to showcase their capabilities. Given India is the third largest creator of Unicorns (a privately held startup company valued at more than $1 billion)

ABOVE: The India Pavilion

and with an ecosystem of more than 50,000 recognised start-ups, the Innovation Hub is the ideal place to visit for anyone interested in experiencing future-oriented products and services. ■ Find out how India is making more than 100 cities smart, more sustainable and more citizen friendly through the Smart City

Mission programme.

IRELAND

JUBILEE

Ireland’s Expo theme is ‘Putting Creativity at the Centre of Human Experience in the 21st Century’. Its pavilion, which draws inspiration from both classical western and Islamic architectural traditions, comprises two conjoined square elements. e rst is fully enclosed and climatecontrolled. e second is a cloistered

ITALY

AL FORSAN

With Italy’s exports to the UAE reaching $4.42 billion in 2020 (UN COMTRADE database), the country is building on this momentum at Expo with a view to enhancing its technological partnerships, seeking opportunities for foreign direct investment, inviting international collaborations between companies, as well as academic and scienti c organisations, and demonstrating to millions of visitors from around the world its “excellence and creativity”. e Italian Pavilion Business Programme for Expo 2020 Dubai is the result of a system operation carried out by the General Commissariat, with the purpose to mobilise all institutional and entrepreneurial partners involved in the development of Italy’s exports and during the six-

FROM TOP: The life-size 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo’s David; the Lavazza co ee shop month event, the Italy Pavilion will involve 70 institutional participants, eight ministries, 15 regions, 50 business sponsors and more than 30 universities and research centres. e pavilion – inspired by the claim ‘Beauty connects People’ – tells the story of a competence-based Italy, champion of innovation, sustainability and culture.

“ e programme of international initiatives and events is dedicated to our country’s innate capability of connecting peoples and intelligences through beauty, know-how and creativity,” says Paolo Glisenti, Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2020 Dubai. For more information, download the Italy Pavilion’s mobile app on Google Play.

Highlights:

■ A life-size 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo’s David, inside a structure inspired by Renaissance theatres, representing the post-Covid rebirth and revival of humanity. ■ e Innovation Observatory, exploring the latest frontiers of

Italian research into space and water. ■ Experience sustainable co ee made with the sun – Sola Moka – at the pavilion’s Lavazza co ee shop; more than a place to share a drink, it immerses visitors in the co ee life cycle, from bean to cup.

courtyard. Creative workshops are taking place in e Hamilton Room in the heart of the pavilion. is room is hosting cultural, business and diplomatic conversations throughout Expo. Coinciding with the centenary of the Irish State, Expo 2020 provides an opportunity to showcase how creativity is an organising principle in Irish life, exploring how, at di erent times in the State’s history, creativity in political, economic, scienti c and cultural spheres led to positive change and at other times, its absence has stalled progressive developments.

DID YOU KNOW?

Diplomatic relations between Ireland and the UAE were established in 1974 and Enterprise Ireland (EI) opened a Dubai o ice in 2002. In 2020, exports by EI companies to the UAE increased by 12 per cent.

Irish museum, e Chester Beatty, promotes the appreciation and understanding of world cultures with holdings of manuscripts, rare books, and other treasures from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Asia. e museum is providing displays and workshops at the Ireland Pavilion and contributing to intercultural and multi-cultural discussion sat Expo. e Royal Irish Academy (RIA) is also hosting a series of panel discussions featuring academics, creative practitioners, activists, public policy gures and politicians.

Highlights:

■ Permanent exhibition, ‘We Are e

Makers’, expresses the essence of

Irish culture: art, literature, music and song. ■ e Oculus Room is screening a short, high impact, immersive, visual and vocal experience of Irish culture, followed by a striking digital display of the breathtaking Irish landscape on a slow-moving loop. ■ In e Courtyard, visitors can relax and enjoy Irish music performances from e Expo Players – the pavilion’s in-house ensemble.

KOREA

MOBILITY

Korea’s Expo theme is ‘Transformation towards a hyper-connected society’, so its pavilion spotlights future mobility, as well as the potential of Koreans, who are “characterised by unity, innate active personalities, a

Qatar’s goal at Expo is to consolidate its role as a safe global hub for tourism and business and to highlight national e orts to preserve domestic resources by investing strong willingness for innovation and adaptability to changes”.

Visitors experience a virtual environment demonstrating how in the future, people will have easier access to movement, in reality and virtually. Expo 2020 Dubai is also a platform for Korea to bolster relations with the UAE, expand opportunities in Middle East markets, and promote its distinct industries and brands to a global audience.

Highlights:

■ e pavilion exterior changes throughout the day – it aims to show varying images and colours by the minute via connecting and rotating cubes. ■ Kojaki – a new concept restaurant serving Korean cuisine with a modern Japanese twist. Signature dishes include Kimchi Jigae,

Tteobokki, Korean Mac and Cheese, and Jajang Myeon, to name a few.

ABOVE: The Kojaki concept restaurant serves Korean cuisine with a modern Japanese twist

QATAR

SUSTAINABILITY

ABOVE: The Qatar Pavilion was designed by Santiago Calatrava in sustainable development and environmental protection, in addition to constructing green buildings to support the growth of human capital. Its pavilion, themed ‘ e Future is Now’, showcases the most pioneering projects being developed in accordance with the Gulf State’s National Vision 2030 and spotlights Qatar as the upcoming host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Utilising a combination of technologies, from mirror screens and holographic projections to 3D mapping and transparent LED screens, six illusion showcases display key themes that represent Qatar’s story, with illusions bringing objects inside the pavilion to life. Encompassing Expo’s Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability subthemes, these key concepts were derived from the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. ese concepts include heritage, geography and culture; art, science and technology via creative stimuli; communication, transportation and exploration; environment, urban development, biodiversity, and natural resources; governance and investment in human capital; education, youth employment, and community welfare; industrial transformations, pioneering change and green economy initiatives; and innovation and development.

Highlights:

■ e Qatar Pavilion was designed by internationally renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava, who represented a modern interpretation of the four elements presented in the Coat of

Arms of Qatar. Its architectural composition draws inspiration from the two crossed and curved swords, encompassing a dhow and island with two palm trees, that are at the core of the national emblem of the state of Qatar.

MOROCCO

OPPORTUNITY

Morocco is o cially unveiling its investment and export brand, Morocco Now, at Expo. is initiative promotes Morocco as a world-class industrial and export platform to accelerate foreign investment. Over the past two decades, the country has signi cantly ramped up its trade and transport infrastructure, with the Tanger Med industrial port the number one sea connection in Africa and the Mediterranean and in the top 20 globally.

Its automotive cluster, the fastest growing in the world, strongly contributes to Moroccan industrial exports growth, increasing by more than US$16 billion from 2010 to 2019.

During the pandemic, Morocco assessed and reorganised its global value chains to achieve more e ective regional integration.

Against this backdrop, Morocco Now is being pitched as future-proof industrial platform to capture the opportunities of a changing world.

It builds on a “successful track record of economic transformation making of Morocco a reliable destination and a high investment and export potential”. e launch of Morocco Now aligns to the Morocco Pavilion’s theme, ‘Legacies for the future – from inspiring origins to sustainable progress’. Exhibitions on display at the pavilion provide insight into the country’s commitment to sustainability. Adventurous visitors can also climb to the top of the pavilion’s earthen village for spectacular Expo views.

ABOVE: The Morocco Pavilion BELOW: Port Tanger Med

ABOUT MOROCCO NOW

The Morocco Now initiative has four key elements: ◆ NOW Sustainable, achieving 37 per cent renewable energy in 2020 and targeting 52 per cent by 2030, with an installed capacity of 4GW in 2021 made possible by visionary investments since 2009. ◆ NOW Competitive, o ering a ‘Best Cost’ option – based on competitive production and export costs – with Morocco o ering access to one billion consumers thanks to 54 free trade agreements and its strategic location as the gateway to Africa. ◆ NOW Well-Proven, demonstrating a successful track record implementing foreign investment in highly strategic and technical sectors and delivering mega infrastructure projects, while investing in Moroccan youth competencies. ◆ NOW Agile, with Morocco reallocating industrial tools to health equipment during COVID-19 and implementing a best-in-class vaccination roll-out, paving the way for a rapid economic recovery.

SUSTAINABILITY

NEW ZEALAND

e GCC is New Zealand’s hlargest trading partner, and in the last 12 months, New Zealand exports to Gulf countries – particularly the UAE and Saudi – have grown across the board despite the pandemic, totalling NZ$2.2 billion (US$1.51 billion). e UAE is New Zealand’s 10th largest trade partner, connected by direct ights to Auckland with Emirates Airline, so the Antipodean country is keen to build on this position of strength at Expo 2020 Dubai. Tapping into one of Expo’s subthemes, Mobility, New Zealand’s pavilion theme, ‘Care for People and Place’, is based on the Māori ethos ’kaitiakitanga’ – the idea that all living things are innately connected.

“ e pavilion showcases to the world how we, as a nation, innovate because of this connection and responsibility we have to the natural world,” explains Clayton Kimpton, New Zealand’s CommissionerGeneral to Expo 2020 Dubai.

“ rough our participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, we aim to share this ethos

ABOVE: The visitor experience inside New Zealand’s pavilion BELOW: New Zealand’s Expo theme is Care for People and Place

DID YOU KNOW?

The New Zealand pavilion has a kinetic living façade made from a unique mesh called Kaynemaile, which moves in time with an audible pulse. by forging new fruitful relationships with businesses, consumers and governments, as well as deepening our current connections.”

Visitors can experience New Zealand’s ingenuity in food and beverage production, agritech, technology, aerospace and healthcare, to name a few. is story is brought to life through an immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey of Aotearoa New Zealand, exploring the impact humans have on the world.

Kimpton says there are “growing opportunities for New Zealand businesses in the Middle East” and Expo will help them to make new connections, as well as facilitate “inward investments into New Zealand”. “While our borders are closed at the moment, New Zealand is very much open for business and Expo o ers a platform for our exporters to engage with their key international contacts – to see the world in one place,” he says.

“ roughout Expo we will be working to build on our international reputation and shi perception of New Zealand beyond just natural beauty, to showcasing our people as innovative and knowledge-led, who consider problems with a fresh perspective and nd solutions others haven’t imagined.”

Highlights:

■ e Expo Business Leverage

Programme helps New Zealand exporters tap into Middle East markets, with a focus on F&B, agritech and healthcare sectors. e pavilion hosts dedicated venues for these exporters to meet with potential clients. ■ e full-service restaurant ‘Tiaki’ (meaning to care and protect). ■ Te Aratini, a Festival of Indigenous and Tribal Ideas, during Tolerance and Inclusivity Week at Expo 2020 Dubai (November 17-19). ■ Taste New Zealand month (January) featuring renowned chefs.

OPPORTUNITY

SWITZERLAND

Travel and trade between Switzerland and the UAE is robust. Switzerland exported CHF3.75 billion (US$4.06 billion) worth of goods to the UAE in 2019, 51 per cent of which comprised jewellery, precision instruments and watches and 48 per cent was precious metals, mostly gold. Around 140,000 Emiratis travel to Switzerland every year for vacations and medical purposes, while an estimated 100,000 Swiss citizens visit the UAE too, mainly to escape the winter or for business.

“ is creates numerous formal and informal ties that enrich our exchanges,” says Manuel Salchli, Commissioner General of the Switzerland Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. e Swiss pavilion has partnered with Swissnex, the global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research, and innovation, to present the country as a “world-leading innovation hotspot”, with content based on Expo theme weeks linked to the UN Sustainable Development goals.

Smart city and security solutions from Axis

Axis Communications, the global security and surveillance technology specialist with Swiss roots, is highlighting its role in advancing smart city agendas across the region at Expo. The company’s single platform also allows for easy integration between many di erent technologies and IoT devices, which helps mitigate one of the major challenges in smart city projects. Besides participating in the exhibition by displaying Axis network solutions for improved security, Axis is also responsible for video surveillance, access control and intercoms, as part of the broader security infrastructure for the Sweden Pavilion.

Swiss universities, start-ups and innovative companies are also showcasing their research and inventions through temporary exhibits throughout the event and Swissnex is inviting local and international researchers and students to events and workshops at the pavilion, “developing a framework to facilitate the creation of new collaborative partnerships”.

Highlights:

■ e theme of the Switzerland

Pavilion is ‘Re ections’, highlighting the key aspects of Switzerland’s culture, nature, scienti c achievements, and innovations, “Governments in the Middle East have been proactively driving the technological advancement agenda in order to provide better citizen and resident services and experiences, and the quick recovery of the region om lockdown is testament to this. Technology like ours has played a crucial role in minimising the disruption caused by the pandemic and has helped governments and businesses manage, regulate, assess, and contribute to public safety and ensure business continuity.”

– ETTIENE VAN DER WATT, AXIS REGIONAL DIRECTOR MEA

TOP LEFT: The mirrored façade of the Switzerland Pavilion

NOVARTIS SHOWCASES THE MOST PROMISING FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE

Swiss medicines company Novartis is presenting its progress across four fields at the Switzerland Pavilion: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Cell and Gene Therapy, Building Trust with Society, and Patient Community. In its quest to find new medicines, Novartis uses innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical needs.

delivered through a series of interactive elements and images: the country’s stunning landscapes, as well as Swiss solutions for a sustainable future. ■ Visitors can interact with their own images re ected in the mirror of the pavilion’s façade and then take a unique hike through Switzerland to reach the top of a Swiss mountain. ■ Schindler’s exhibition demonstrates

Switzerland’s advancements in sustainability, as per its ranking in the Global Index for Innovation,

WIPO, 2021. ■ Don’t miss the chance to taste Swiss chocolate from Sprüngli.

THAILAND

MOBILITY

e ailand Pavilion takes visitors through the story of ‘Digital ailand’, the nation’s technologically driven, economic vision. It demonstrates how ailand is utilising innovation and digital technology to boost the economy and improve the standard of living. Exhibitions are designed to help potential investors explore ailand’s capabilities across multiple sectors, as well as infrastructure development.

“We hope that Expo will create new economic opportunities in the Middle East, which is the ‘gateway to Africa’ and an important import-export hub,” says Ajarin Pattanapanchai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy & Society (MEDS) and the Commissioner-General of Section for ailand Pavilion

“ e ailand Pavilion provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and seek out investment opportunities and have business discussions with interested parties.”

Highlights:

■ Visually striking in every sense, the pavilion is covered with 500 arti cial ai ‘good luck’ owers, each carefully interwoven to represent the nation’s continuous growth and development. ■ Daily entertainment includes live performances from the exceptionally talented Smile Band and the mesmerising evening DOK

RAK Light and Sound Show. ■ e daily ai Iconic shows explore the mesmerising worlds of Muay ai boxing and ai art, music and dance. ■ e Taste of ai serves a sumptuous array of regional favourites, including pad thai, chicken satay, massaman curry, tom yum goong soup and more. ■ e ai Souk also o ers the perfect place to purchase handcra ed souvenirs, gi s, cosmetics and accessories.

RIGHT: Uganda’s famous gorillas BELOW: The Thailand Pavilion

DID YOU KNOW?

Thailand is on track to chart at least a 10 per cent growth in exports to the UAE in 2021, reaching $650 million, according to the Thai Trade Centre. The UAE is Thailand’s primary Middle East market.

UGANDA

OPPORTUNITY

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is using Expo as a springboard to promote its destination o ering to the UAE and wider Gulf region. It follows the October 4 launch of Uganda Airlines’ direct services between Entebbe and Dubai, with ights now running three times weekly, operated by a 258-seater Airbus A330-800 Neo. It bolsters travel ties between the African nation and the Gulf, with Emirates already ying to Entebbe ve times a week and ydubai operating daily ights from Dubai, while Air Arabia launched a three-times-weekly service from Sharjah on October 10. Qatar Airways also operates daily direct ights from Doha. Based on this connectivity, the UTB is promoting its “quality-focused tourism o erings” to UAE and GCC residents seeking “rejuvenation, exhilaration, a reconnection to nature and people and touches of meaningful luxury moments in a covid-safe environment”. e Uganda Pavilion, located in the Opportunity District, highlights the country’s natural attributes, with the Gorillas of Bwindi experience an exhibition highlight. is augmented reality journey gets visitors up close to these magni cent creatures.

MOBILITY

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Shaped like a falcon in ight, with 28 moveable wings that open and close gracefully, the UAE Pavilion tells the story of the United Arab Emirates as a global hub for travel and trade and the vision of its leaders to create a peaceful and progressive society, with ambitious plans for the future.

Designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and one of Expo’s most striking structures, this pavilion joins Dubai’s growing list of iconic buildings. Inside, a series of immersive exhibits take visitors on the journey of Expo’s host nation, enhanced by an innovative audio experience that includes a bespoke musical score and pre-recorded sounds that are unique to the UAE. emed ‘ e Land of Dreamers Who Do’, the pavilion presents a diverse collection of human-centric stories that represent the UAE’s culture, heritage and values, and the unique characteristics that have made the Emirates such a welcoming home to people from more than 200 nationalities.

‘ e Dreamers Who Do’ is a collection of individuals who embody the spirit of the UAE and carry forward the legacy forged by the UAE’s original dreamer, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the nation.

By sharing authentic human stories, the UAE Pavilion aims to foster a sense of connection and shared identity with visitors, while deepening their understanding of the UAE’s culture. It also invites local and global stakeholders to co-create with Expo and the UAE, with the pavilion

ABOVE: The UAE Pavilion

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2019, the UAE was the number 28 economy in the world in terms of GDP, the number 24 in total exports, the number 22 in total imports, the number 22 economy in terms of GDP per capita and the number 55 most complex economy. according to the Economic Complexity Index (source OEC). hosting several social, diplomatic and philanthropic initiatives that encourage collaboration to create a better future.

Highlights:

■ Crossroads – an installation of trade-related artifacts and illuminated route highlight the

UAE’s role as a hub for knowledge and culture exchange. ■ riving Together – a sand and glass structure representing the transformation of the UAE from a desert outpost to modern city of global signi cance. ■ e Pearl – a domed theatre presenting a cinematic experience celebrating the UAE values that drive its vision for collective progress. ■ UAE Dreamers – watch short lms documenting the people building the country’s future.

DON’T MISS

◆Australia Pavilion: a striking canopy acts as a sunshade and an interactive canvas, representing a cumulous cloud and encapsulating Australia’s ‘Blue Sky Dreaming’ theme. ◆ Belgium Pavilion: take a look at smart urban mobility infrastructure and solutions, and tuck into

Belgian fires and wa les too. ◆ China Pavilion: one of the largest country pavilions at Expo, the China structure is lanternshaped and sheds light on the country’s developments in science, education and technology, including AI and 5G. ◆ Costa Rica Pavilion: the country reveals its plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. ◆ Japan Pavilion: with a stunning exterior combining traditional asanoha and arabesque patterns, this is a stylish nod to Japanese/Middle East relations. ◆ Monaco Pavilion: discover how this tiny city state has conducted research to protect endangered marine life around the world. ◆ Norway Pavilion: is showcasing new technology that’s tackling ocean waste, making fisheries more sustainable and protecting polar ecosystems. ◆ Philippines Pavilion: this is designed to resemble a coral reef, exploring how the country of more than 7,000 islands is working to protect our oceans. ◆ Saudi Arabia Pavilion: Expo’s second largest country pavilion is a huge reflective structure reaching to the sky, symbolising the kingdom’s far-reaching ambitions. ◆ Seychelles Pavilion: is demonstrating the many ways this island nation is preserving its marine ecosystems. ◆ Slovenia Pavilion: discover how the country has positioned itself as a biodiversity destination. ◆ Singapore Pavilion: reveals how the city-state reinvented itself as one of the greenest cities on earth by adopting integrated natural solutions. ◆ United Kingdom: the striking design of this pavilion (pictured below) – a 25-metre-high cone structure – reflects the UK’s openness to trade and tourism. Inside, highlights include the

‘Breakthrough Message’ inspired by one of Stephen Hawking’s final projects, considering how we would express ourselves if we met other civilisations in the universe.

The UK Pavilion

EXPO APPS

Expo 2020 Dubai has two apps to help visitors get the most out of the event.

The o icial Expo 2020 app enables users to tailor their visit to Expo, matching their individual interests to create a personal schedule of events and attractions. Visitors can use the app to buy tickets, choose from more than 200 dining options and themed culinary events, and manage reservations for Expo 2020’s intelligent Smart Queue system – o ering the ability to reserve a convenient time slot to visit a pavilion of their choice, and avoid queues.

The separate Expo 2020 Business App matches users with similar interests and objectives among the business community, with the objective of facilitating meaningful business to business (B2B), business to government (B2G) and government to government (G2G) interactions across geographies and industries. It suggests potential matches for users based on their profiles, expertise, goals and interaction patterns – ensuring every business visitor can meet their business objectives.

While free to download, a small registration fee applies to access the app’s premium features, such as networking, connecting, chatting and scheduling meetings.