Expo 2020 spotlights France (3 Oct. 2021)

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M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and M. Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, went to the United Arab Emirates on 2 October for France National Day, which was held on the second day of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Ministers officially opened the French pavilion, which will help stimulate greater awareness of France among its partners during the six-month-long Expo 2020 Dubai. At the heart of the Expo, the French pavilion showcases French excellence. By its very design, based on stringent environmental standards, it embodies France’s ambition to provide lasting solutions to present-day challenges and play its full part in the international fight against global warming.

France National Day on Saturday 2 October highlighted France’s know-how, expertise, ability to innovate and cultural richness, bringing together artists for a series of performances and also the Patrouille de France (1) and Thomas Pesquet, who had a live discussion with the Ministers.

France National Day, Expo 2020’s first national day, also embodied the exceptional relationship between France and the United Arab Emirates. As Jean-Yves Le Drian emphasized in the inauguration speech he delivered, the relationship is unique and allows our two countries to coordinate closely on tackling regional crises, find joint solutions to the major challenges the planet faces in the future and jointly project our models of cooperation and influence abroad.

This Expo 2020 provides an opportunity for businesses to bounce back economically by creating new development prospects and speeding up the conquest of new markets.
Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said:

“The French pavilion represents the best of what France can offer: excellent skills in both science and gastronomy, industrial excellence, a recognized ability to innovate but also traditional know-how, which is much in demand, and a rich cultural and philosophical heritage. It’s a tool for France to exert influence and an important means of accelerating its international recovery. France is more influential than ever!”

(1) French Air and Space Force acrobatics unit, roughly equivalent to the UK’s Red Arrows.