Dubai 2020 EXPO bid gains momentum

UAE also earned international endorsement as the role model for emerging economies by showcasing UAE s phenomenal development achieved in less than half a century under the wise and visionary leadership of the country which differentiated from other regional countries.

Against the backdrop of the well-designed UAE Pavilion which took the centre stage during the three-month-long event, UAE has rebranded the national image as a country of environment conservation backed up by sustainable renewable energy development and environment protection drive characterized by carbon-free Masdar city in Abu Dhabi.

UAE has thus far been known here among many locals simply as a small rich Arab country blessed with huge crude oil reserves.

During the 2012 Expo which concludes on Aug. 12 after it was opened on May 12, UAE also boosted its national image by announcing its bid to host 2020 Dubai World Expo.

UAE also earned international endorsement as the role model for emerging economies and environment conservation efforts thanks to its main films including Turtle.”

The UAE Pavilion also served as a platform to share advanced knowledge of renewable energy as well as carbon free city of Masdar now under construction in Abu Dhabi.

Kang Hyun-Joo, Deputy Spokesperson of 2012 Yeosu Expo said in an interview with WAM that many Korean visitors to UAE Pavilion were moved and inspired by the main film Turtle” which showcased how the importance of pollution-free seas aligning with 2012 Expo theme: Living Ocean and Coastal Activities.

Seong Dae-seock, a well-known TV journalist who once worked for KBS TV network s prime time news anchor, said that 2012 Yeosu Expo has opened our eyes wide as to the growing role of women in UAE in all segments of the society reshaping our conventional knowledge of Arab women who have long been described as subject of discrimination against in social activities.

Seong, president of Association of Korean Journalists(AKJ), was referring to Reem al-Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World EXPO, who was here in mid-June to attend the UAE Day event at 2012 Yeosu Expo and announced Dubai s bid to host 2020 Dubai Expo.

Her energetic yet free-wheeling activities exposed to Korean audience through KBS TV came rather as a shock for many Korean women who were misinformed about the social status of women in Arab world ..

Another important lesson learned from UAE Pavilion was importance of volunteerism exemplified by well-educated and trained Emirati woman volunteers on duty at UAE Pavilion.

Korean visitors praised the devoted services of Emiratis volunteers with personal care particularly for elderly and handicapped people visiting the ongoing 2012 Yeosu Expo.

Rotarians from the District 3650 Rotary International led by Kah Jae-mo delivered on Aug. 3 a letter of appreciation to Emirati volunteers at the UAE Pavilion at 2012 who showcase the role model of volunteers.

Kah noted that Rotary International stresses the benefits and importance of volunteerism, both within one’s own community and internationally. An Emirati volunteer said that voluntary work in UAE has an important position at the institutional and individual level.

Dr. Charles Mercieca, president of IAEWP, UN-NGO (ECOSOC) lauded National Media Council (NMC) of UAE and staff for their capabilities reaching out to audiences at 2012 Yeosu Expo with such a wonderful film as Turtle for the 2012 Expo’s main theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast” visualizing the most desirable future for the ocean”.

“We did not hesitate to select “Turtle” as the best film at 2012 Yeosu Expo, he said in his message sent to the UAE Pavilion recently.

In the meantime, Mr. Giuseppe Sala, CEO of Milan EXPO 2015 wished good luck to Dubai which is bidding to host 2020 Dubai World Expo.

Sala made the remarks when he met with WAM who arrived in Yeosu to attend the closing ceremony of 2012 Yeosu Expo.

He also said that Milan Expo 2015 has been working closely with the UAE regarding its participation at EXPO 2015 in Milan pointing out that the UAE s technical delegation is scheduled to be Milan next month in order to define areas of collaboration.