Day: November 1, 2021

DUBAI, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has emphasised the importance of Dubai Airshow 2021, describing the event as “an opportunity to reconnect the aviation, aerospace, space and defence industries.”

During a press conference in Dubai on Monday, Sheikh Ahmed said, “Based on the number of new participant countries and exhibitors added this year, Dubai Airshow 2021 is set to be bigger and better than the 2019 event. The event will showcase the critical role that aviation, aerospace, space and defence continue to play at a global level.

“By welcoming international leaders and experts from across the globe, we are paving the way for new partnerships that will drive recovery and future growth. Dubai Airshow this year will be futuristic, modern, forward-looking, and creative. It will showcase the future of mobility, space exploration and defence as well as AI, digital transformation and more. We are excited to welcome industry friends, colleagues and newcomers from across the planet to Dubai.”

He added that Dubai Airshow 2021 is a testament to the UAE and Dubai’s response to the pandemic, a pragmatic response that focused on protecting the health and well-being of the people as a top priority while minimising the impact of the crisis on the nation’s economy. “We are once again hosting important in-person events and returning to business normality thanks to the success of our approach and readiness.”

This year, Dubai Airshow will have a major focus on new technologies where exhibitors will be showcasing the latest innovation and state-of-the-art solutions. The brand new conference stage, Tech Xplore, will highlight how emerging technologies are helping reboot aviation and changing the entire flying experience. There will be new conferences focusing on trending aerospace topics like advanced aerial mobility, sustainability, and space, air traffic and cargo.

The role of start-ups and entrepreneurs within the sector will also be centre stage, with the new East-West startup hub VISTA. Through new activations and competitions, Dubai Airshow is helping to actively encourage bright minds to bring new ideas and creativity to the industry.

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Airshow 2021 will take place at Dubai World Central from 14th-18th November 2021.

The global aerospace event will be held with the support of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, the UAE Ministry of Defence and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, and organised by Tarsus Middle East.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Antigua and Barbuda, the twin-island nation of 365 beaches, celebrated its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day today (1 November), which featured a flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, a colourful cultural performance and a topically varied business conference.

Henry Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment of Antigua and Barbuda, accompanied by Gilbert Boustany, Commissioner General of Antigua and Barbuda at Expo 2020, and other dignitaries were welcomed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, accompanied by Najeeb Al-Ali, Executive Director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Proudly celebrating the country’s Ruby Anniversary (40 years) of political independence, Fernandez said it was an honour to be sharing the momentous occasion with each and every person at Expo 2020, with the occasion made even more meaningful in Dubai, a nation built on the principles of inclusion.

Fernandez said: “Dubai’s transformation to a highly efficient metropolis, created with such elegance and intricacy, highlights the sophistication of the visionary leadership of Dubai.

“To have the capacity to host such a global event on the fringe of one of the worst pandemics in modern history is verification of the resilience and progressive leadership the UAE is fortunate to have. Expo 2020 Dubai signals a global call for partnerships and support. This unparalleled Expo has given small island developing states – [such as] Antigua and Barbuda – the opportunity for business and trade on a global scale. This Expo will allow for extensive partnerships to be forged and for the renewal of diplomatic friendships as we navigate our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Antigua and Barbuda continues to enjoy strong and friendly diplomatic relations with the UAE, which is felt in energy, leisure travel, residency and economic investments. The UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, for example, has allowed for the complete transformation of Barbuda to green energy with the construction of a hurricane-resistant clean-energy plan. This has helped our twin-island nation recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Our recovery is still well underway, and our participation in this expansive Expo is a strident reminder that we are open for business.

“We will have one the largest cruise port projects in the Caribbean by the end of 2021. This has expanded our tourism product by doubling our travel markets, with record arrivals in the third quarter of 2021. We’ve expanded our cargo port with an amazing USD 100 million redevelopment – to be completed within the next six months. We will have the most versatile, modern and competitive port in the entire Caribbean, the only eastern Caribbean port that can berth five major cruise ships and three major container ships within the same harbour simultaneously.

“We’ve expanded our educational sector, with three universities on the island and a landed campus of the University of the West Indies; it’s important to note the University of the West Indies ranks in the top 1.5 per cent of the world’s universities.”

“We’ve expanded our innovative industry with the opening of the Antigua and Barbuda Science Innovation Park, one of the first United Nations office for the offices for the Project Services Global Innovation Centre; and we have expanded our maritime agreements with the sustainable framework of developing the blue economy.”

Najeeb Al-Ali, said: “It’s a pleasure to be with you today to celebrate the National Day of Antigua and Barbuda. We would like to extend our gratitude to Commissioner General, Gilbert Boustany, and his team for Antigua and Barbuda’s meaningful participation in this Expo.

“Antigua and Barbuda has been a shining example in the region of how a small island nation with a passion for preserving the environment can work with local and international organisations towards a more sustainable future, and as the UAE spearheads sustainability-focused projects both in the Caribbean region and around the world, we look forward to working closely with you to explore further opportunities for cooperation.”

“The surge of investment opportunities across Antigua and Barbuda in the real estate and tourism sectors is part of the economic success story on display at the Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion. Famed for its pristine beaches, turquoise seas and craggy coastlines, Antigua is striving to become the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean. As such, it’s using its presence at Expo as the perfect time to confirm its commitment to welcoming and empowering global citizens and investors alike by leveraging international relations.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s national day celebrations included ‘Wadadli’, a 20-minute cultural presentation that explores the country music, dance and heritage. The performance highlighted the origins of Antigua and Barbuda’s Afro-European percussive steel band rhythms, the sounds of the 20th-century musical phenomenon, the steelpan, the melodies and poetry of the country’s greatest calypsonians and soca artistes, as well as their vibrant movements.

A business conference titled ‘Antigua and Barbuda: Where Sustainable Development Meets a Rich History and Culture’ spotlighted the country’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, not only for tourism but also for high-level business and investment.

Located in the Mobility District, the Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion showcases the country as a major regional air transportation and shipping hub, highlights its rich cultural heritage and key efforts towards the sustainability movement through eye-opening immersive experiences.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai organisers have hailed the first month of the event as a “huge success”, announcing an impressive 2,350,868 visits from 1st to 31st October, with a host of memorable events, entertainment and seminars attracting people from the UAE, region and beyond.

So far, 28 percent of visits were made by persons under 18 years old, but this figure is expected to grow as the Expo School Programme expands during the cooler months ahead.

Taking a global overview, an impressive 17 percent of the total visits came from overseas, which was notable considering the event takes place when many countries are still operating pandemic travel restrictions. Expo has counted 185 nationalities through its gates, with the top five most popular overseas markets consisting of India, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the UK.

The majority of visitors intend to visit multiple times, with more than half (53 percent) holding a Season Pass, more than a quarter (27 percent) entering with a Multi-Day Pass and 20 percent entering on a one-day ticket.

In keeping with Expo 2020’s sustainability aims, an impressive amount of people have travelled to and around the site using RTA transport methods. From a total of almost 3.6 million total journeys, more than 1.1 million trips were made to and from the site using the Dubai Metro.

The opening 31 days also saw the first two Thematic Weeks from Expo’s Programme for People and Planet, which is designed to inspire collective and meaningful action to address the world’s most critical challenges and opportunities. A truly international cast came together for Climate and Biodiversity Week, which took place ahead of the vital COP26 global environment summit, before Space Week blasted off into orbit to explore how the final frontier can help life on Earth. Eight further Thematic Weeks will be held between now and the end of March, with Urban and Rural Development Week currently underway until 6th November.

A total of 1938 government leaders, including ministers, presidents, prime ministers and heads of state, have graced the Expo site to open their country’s pavilions, speak at official events or celebrate their nation’s Expo National Day. And many of the 192 Country Pavilions – the first time in World Expo history that every participating nation has its own pavilion – have proved especially popular. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, one of the largest on the Expo site, has attracted half a million visitors already.

Throughout the first month, a number of Expo 2020 National Days and Honour Days were commemorated, with highlights including spectacular aerobatics from the French Air Force team Patrouille de France; Switzerland unveiling an inspiring supersize artwork by artist Saype; and international ensemble the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra delivering a message of peace and understanding for UN Honour Day. Ticket-holders have eagerly availed of their Expo Passports, with 695,437 sold in the first month, as fans compete to get the most country stamps in a single day.

A staggering 5,610 official events have been staged across the Expo site during the first month of operations. Crowds have been attracted to a stellar line-up of regional and international music artists, including Amr Diab, Kadim Al Sahir and Sami Yusuf. There have also been appearances by major sporting stars, from the basketball skills of the Harlem Globetrotters to the Rajasthan Royals cricket team. Individual countries have flown in musicians and performers, and there have been panel discussions featuring everyone from business leaders to astronauts.

As the UAE moves into its winter months and the weather become more temperate, visitor numbers are expected to steadily increase, enticed also by Expo’s ongoing programme of events. November alone will feature the conclusion of a week of events marking Diwali, Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama headlining the second of Expo’s Infinite Nights concert series, and the beginning of a packed schedule of celebrations for the UAE’s Golden Jubilee.

Bringing Expo 2020 Dubai to a global digital audience, the number of virtual visitors has amounted to 12.8 million since 1st October.

Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31st March 2022, inviting the world to join a celebration of unity, opportunity, creativity and sustainability that will help to shape a better, brighter future for everyone.

Source: Emirates News Agency