Official reception for Oman's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates 51st National Day

An official reception was held in Dubai today to mark the celebration of the 51st Glorious National Day of the Sultanate of Oman by the Oman Pavilion at Expo 2020 Duabi.

The reception was attended by HH Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan and Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The reception was also attended by Sayyid Hamoud Faisal Al Busaidi, Oman's Interior Minister, Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; Nayah Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence in UAE and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as commissioners general, ambassadors and consuls of Arab and friendly countries.

Mohsin Khamis Al Balushi, Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and Commissioner General of Oman at Expo 2020 Dubai, said in a speech that the Sultanate of Oman boasts a wide range of historical, cultural and humanitarian achievements. The past feats of Oman persist today and position it as a country that takes pride in its modern-day accomplishments at local, regional and international levels. “We are proud to be here today and interact with 193 countries, regional and international organisations and civil society institutions,” said Mohsin.

“Through its participation in this global event, the Sultanate of Oman strives to portray its civilisation, its current accomplishments, its Renewed Renaissance and its future aspirations,” he said.

Mohsin Al Balushi pointed out that today’s activities saw the launching of a programme to provide scholarships for students from GCC states from among visitors to the Oman Pavilion, who will be candidates of this programme.

The ceremony included a showing of a short film about the Sultanate of Oman, an exhibition of Omani paintings entitled “Your Glory” and musical and pantomime performances presented by military bands of the Royal Guard of Oman and the Royal Cavalry.

The exhibits also included samples of advanced Omani products to be promoted at the Oman Pavilion, with the returns going to owners of small and medium sized enterprises, families operating under the livelihood programme, rural women and Omani artisans.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement to the Oman News Agency that the activities of the ceremony reflect the brotherly relations and the importance that the two countries attach to developing these relations, expressing the hope that Dubai Expo 2020 will strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation.

The Undersecretary also expressed his happiness at what he saw in the Sultanate of Oman’s pavilion, adding that it represents the Sultanate of Oman as it should be, with the conspicuous frankincense tree section sending a strong message from Oman’s past. He said the Sultanate of Oman is playing a positive role in today’s world through its balanced policies and diplomacy and that this theme is always present in its participation in global events. “The Oman Pavilion is a window to the country’s historical, cultural and tourist attractions,” Al Harthy explained.

This is an unofficial English translation of the original Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text, click here.