EXPO 2020 Dubai pays tribute to the European Union
This Saturday will be a good day to show pride in being European and belonging to the European Union, our 27 countries-strong economic and political union. Honoured at the EXPO 2020 Dubai, the European Union will showcase the power of its public and cultural diplomacy in a day full of activities that will take visitors on a journey to discover the diversity of a territory that is home to nearly 500 million people.
EU Honour Day will begin with an opening event at the Slovenian Pavilion with the presence of European Commission Vice President Schinas, followed with a broad series of events organised jointly by the European Union institutions and the EU Member States in their pavilions. Activities will take place visitors to Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland, Lithuania, France, Czech Republic, Romania and Spain and performances will also take place in the public areas of EXPO 2020.
Besides the more traditional public diplomacy outreach activities during the EU Honour Day, there will be an important role given to EU cultural diplomacy, which will not only show EU diversity and harmony but also highlight EU policies and the importance of multilateralism and global sustainable partnerships. Cultural activities with young artists and cultural professionals from Europe and the rest of the world will include performances as well as a panel discussion to promote diversity and intercultural dialogue.
The EU Honour Day Gala, to be held at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, will be the grand finale and closing event of the EU Honour Day. A series of performances combining music, dance and technology will highlight multilateralism, as well as European unity and solidarity, and the multilingualism and cultural diversity of the European Union.
EXPO 2020 Dubai: an open window into the post-Covid world
There will be a post-pandemic world, but it is yet to be built: Expo 2020 Dubai, which started on 1 October in the United Arab Emirates, has given the world a unique chance to come together and imagine a sustainable future where no one is left behind. The EU, together with its Member States, is promoting these days in Dubai more than 40 events and activities displaying Europe´s leadership and its key contribution to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
“In times of great challenges, our societies need to come together, not only to overcome them but also to grow stronger and cooperate better. Expo 2020 Dubai is a very visible opportunity to underline the EU’s commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism as a response to global challenges and to build common understanding on how to do deal with those challenges”, said HR/VP Borrell on his arrival in the UAE.
A record of 192 nations participate in the first World Exposition held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region since its creation in 1851. United under the theme “Connecting minds, creating the future”, hundreds of events taking place until 31 March 2022 will shape what the organisers have defined as “a world showcase for human achievement”.
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The EU team at Expo 2020 is led by Andrea Matteo Fontana, EU Ambassador to the UAE and Commissioner General for the EU at Expo 2020 and by Pietro De Matteis as Deputy Commissioner General.
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Check out the full programme of the #EUatEXPO2020 on our website and follow us on social media:
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