DUBAI, 5 February 2022 – Belgium celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday with a visit by His Excellency King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie, as well as a stunning parade and exciting musical performances that showcased the country’s creativity.
His Excellency King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie and Her Excellency Queen Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine d’Udekem d’Acoz, accompanied by Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment; and Sophie Wilmès, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions were welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
His Excellency King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie said: “The UAE has proudly become a global centre at a crossroads of culture, while keeping its own unique culture. Belgium is proud of having been at your side as a partner and friend, and looks forward to contributing to the realisation of the Emirati dream. Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the first major events since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. What you have achieved is truly impressive.
“Our Belgium Pavilion is designed to be a meeting place. It symbolises our common vocation to build bridges between cultures, to promote dialogue, and foster innovation.”
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan said: “Belgium’s participation in this Expo demonstrates to the world its openness to partnerships, particularly as a green and smart country that is moving ahead to create smart mobility systems for the future.”
”We are proud of the significant bilateral relations that we share with Belgium that have evolved into strategic partnerships across several viable sectors, such as logistics, life sciences and tourism, and hope to further expand on our work in areas of joint interest.”
Speaking later to the media, His Excellency King Phillippe Leopold Louis Marie added: “Belgium’s message at Expo 2020 Dubai is… to have people come together and think about the future, think about innovation and about peace… You have all these countries represented in the pavilions and it’s very peaceful. It is a wonderful feeling.”
The Belgium Pavilion also held cultural events throughout the day including performances by the Jazz Station Big Band featuring Grégoire Maret and the Brussels Ommegang perfomers.
Located in the Mobility District, the Belgium Pavilion offers visitors a chance to learn about the country’s inspiring vision for the future of mobility, in which smart mobility systems will lead the way. The pavilion showcases how Belgian thinkers and entrepreneurs have come together to sketch their vision for the year 2050, and how today’s creative innovations will provide the basis for smart, safe, and clean mobility in years to come.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo 2020’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 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.