At the recent Expo 2020 Dubai, Papua New Guinea celebrated its National Day and used the opportunity to highlight the importance of sustainability goals and having a positive impact on the environment.
The National Days at the Expo allow each of the 200-plus attending nations to showcase their culture and achievements. For PNG’s turn, there was a display of traditional Papua New Guinean music, dancing, and ‘bilas’ decorations.
The PNG Pavilion focused on how vital it is to live in balance with the environment. This was especially crucial for one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, which has the third-largest rainforest after the Amazon and the Congo Basin.
At the event, Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister MP Samuel Basil said, “Apart from the cultural richness, the island of New Guinea hosts the third-largest rainforest in the world, and most of this, including the biodiversity, is in Papua New Guinea. The rainforest not only contributes to the healthy lungs of the world but also to the global agenda on climate change.
“It needs to be protected, and my country would need the international community, including like-minded, bilateral partners, to assist in conserving this great international asset through long-term partnership.
“The inclusive manner in which the Exposition is organised has given our two peoples and those of the participating countries the opportunity to engage in cultural, trade and investment conversations that have the potential to bring the world closer together. In fact, the Expo 2020 Dubai experience will go down in history as one of the innovative experiences of countries of the world living and working together in one village.”
Mr Basil said that the Papua New Guinea Pavilion had been an excellent opportunity to share the richness of his country with the rest of the world. He added that numerous significant international connections had been made, including with Dubai’s leading state-owned enterprise.
The UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, said, “Papua New Guinea’s participation highlights its economic potential, the rich culture, and the diversity of its tribes, as well as its achievements in the field of sustainable development.
“Given that Papua New Guinea has been a regional champion in promoting environmental preservation and tackling climate change, the UAE looks forward to expanding on its collaborative efforts with Papua New Guinea in these fields and aims to further solidify our thriving relationship, as we explore new areas for future cooperation.”
Image credit: Emirates News Agency
