A National Day is an extremely important event at the World Expo 2020. It is a chance for each country to show off its accomplishments, cultural heritage and potential for further growth and cooperation. Each participating country has its own National Day at the World Expo 2020. Ukraine was among the first countries to hold the celebration. The National Day includes official events in accordance with the protocol, a forum aimed at businesses and investors, as well as cultural presentations.
Several key events that took place during Ukraine National Day included:
2.1. Ukraine National Day Official Ceremony at the Stage of Nations in “Al Wasl Plaza”, the raising of Ukrainian and Emirati flags.
Iryna Novikova, the Head of Ukrainian Delegation and the Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence of the UAE and the Commissioner General of the Expo 2020, made celebratory speeches at the Ceremony. Another highlight of the Ceremony included an innovative performance by the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments (NAONI) conducted by a robot-conductor.
2.2. Official Visit of the Delegations of Ukraine and the UAE to Ukraine’s Pavilion at the World Expo 2020.
Emirati Delegation was led by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence of the UAE and the Commissioner General of the Expo 2020, and included Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, the Minister of State for Food and Water Security of the UAE. Ukrainian Delegation was led by Iryna Novikova, the Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and included: Mykola Tyshchenko, the Deputy Head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Transport and Infrastructure and the Deputy Co-Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Verkhovna Rada on Interparliamentary Relations with the UAE; Anna Purtova, the Head of the Sub-Committee on State Investment Projects of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on State Budget and the Co-Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Verkhovna Rada on Interparliamentary Relations with the UAE; Rustem Umerov, the Member of the Parliament of Ukraine and the Member of Coordination Council of the UAE and Ukraine.
2.3. Ukrainian-Emirati Business Forum.
The Business Connect Centre at the World Expo 2020 hosted the Ukrainian-Emirati Business Forum during Ukraine National Day. The Business Forum was organized by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine with assistance from the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine, the Council of Exporters and Investors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The purpose of the Forum was to present Ukraine’s potential in agriculture and industry, energy, IT and innovations. At the event, the Chamber of Commerce of Ukraine and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the UAE (represented by Hennadiy Chyzhykov, the President of the CC of Ukraine, and Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrui, the President of the FCCI of the UAE, respectively) signed a Memorandum on Cooperation. Iryna Novikova, the Head of Ukrainian Delegation and the Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, the Minister of State for Food and Water Security of the UAE, were also in attendance.
2.4. Innovative show by the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments (NAONI) at the World Expo 2020 using an advanced robot-conductor.
Each guest at the Expo was welcome to attend the concert. Some 5000 visitors were in attendance.
2.5. Gala Reception of Official and Business Delegations of Ukraine and the UAE at Ukraine’s Pavilion.
2.6. Light Show of Ukrainian visuals projected on the Dome above Al Wasl Plaza, the Main Stage of the World Expo 2020.
