DUBAI, 2 February 2022 – The President of the Government of Spain, His Excellency Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón celebrated his country’s National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday and announced Spain and the UAE would form a strategic partnership to tackle global challenges.
Prime Minister Sanchez said: “We will develop a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates to contribute to regional and global stability and prosperity, to foster human rights for women and men everywhere, to participate in multilateral efforts to face shared challenges such as climate change.
“Expo 2020 Dubai opens a window to the future at a moment that represents a turning point in the history of humankind. As the economic recovery gathers pace, my country, Spain, and the UAE will also continue to collaborate,” he said, adding: “Our most urgent priority is to overcome the pandemic. Both countries will continue to work hand in hand in this global effort.”
Arriving at Al Wasl Plaza, Prime Minister Sanchez was welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai.
HE Sheikh Nahayan said: “A true embodiment of sustainability, Spain’s pavilion sheds light on the country’s resourcefulness, capacity for innovation and commitment to preserving the planet. The pavilion creatively celebrates Spain’s deep ties to the Arab world with an open, eco-friendly exhibition that brilliantly explores everything from historical innovation and adventure to biodiversity and organ transplants.
“We are pleased to be engaging with Spain on several initiatives in various fields, including commerce, renewable energy, and scientific research, and hope to expand our collaborative efforts in various areas of mutual interest, such as food security, education, and cultural exchanges.”
Prime Minister Sanchez used his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai to encourage UAE investors to look at Spain as a place to invest, while also announcing two new bilateral agreements: the ‘Promotion & Reciprocal Protection of Investments’ agreement with the UAE; and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, and its Spanish state-owned investment counterpart, Compañía Española de Financiación del Desarrollo (CODIFES).
“We want to increase collaboration in priority sectors for both countries. Already there are innumerable opportunities for investment in the public-private partnership projects of the future, such as the generation of green hydrogen, energy storage, the circular economy or data management,” he said.
The Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is built from reusable materials and celebrates the country’s deep, age-old ties to the Arab world, with a town square atmosphere setting the scene for an exhibition that blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge ideas. Visitors can experience everything from historical innovation and adventure to biodiversity and organ transplants.
Prime Minister Sanchez said: “Our pavilion is a magnificent example of intelligent creativity, inviting people to come together around sustainable projects in science and technology, education and the arts. It is a window to the task of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which unite us all. Its architecture and its contents proudly showcase our links with the Arab world and the relationship between our two universal languages: Arabic and Spanish.”
Spain’s Expo 2020 Dubai National Day was also marked with a passionate flamenco performance, ‘Rediscovering Spain, Diálogos de Viejos y Nuevos Sones’. Later, the Spain National Ballet showcased a newly choreographed show entitled Invocacion, directed by renowned dancer Rubén Olmo, which included bolero and stylised dances as a tribute to the flamenco choreographer, Mario Maya.
A Spain-UAE Business Forum also took place at Dubai Exhibition Centre to strengthen trade and economic ties and commercial and investment opportunities between the two countries. Guests heard from key speakers including HE Pérez-Castejón, as well as HE Reyes Maroto, Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism; HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; and HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo’s 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 invites 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.