The Tongan Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, a multi-million dollar facility built with assistance from the government of UAE, was officially handed over to Tonga's Ambassador ahead of the official opening of the world expo next week.
HE Hon. 'Akau'ola, the Commissioner General of the Tonga Expo team, received the keys, marking the completion of the construction, in a handover ceremony by the Expo Country Manager for Tonga, Mr Samer Mahmassani, on 16 September.
For the first time, Tonga will have its own substantial pavilion at a world expo. HE 'Akau'ola said it facilitated their vision to provide a modern fully interactive digital journey through our ancient Kingdom
He said, “I wish to express our Kingdom’s gratitude to Dubai Expo and the government of UAE for their incredible generosity in funding and building this multi-million dollar facility to showcase Tonga’s potential to the world.”
The first floor of the Tonga Pavilion offers a fully digitised, immersive experience leading visitors on a modern high-tech journey with mascots Lafi, a Tongan boy, and Lei, a humpback whale, around the Kingdom of Tonga.
“The adventure begins in the luscious forests of 'Eua islands, next through main island Tongatapu, onwards to the stunning beaches of Ha‘apai and ending at the picturesque islands of Vava‘u.”
He said the images and videos were courtesy of the award-winning Australian videographer and photographer, Darren Jew.
The aim is to shed light on the dangers of plastic waste to the ocean, its inhabitants and the subsequent challenges faced by the Pacific people emphasising ‘One Planet for All’ as the theme of Tonga Pavilion.
The second floor of the pavilion has fully equipped office spaces and conference rooms to host meetings to explore and advance investment opportunities for Tonga and its people.
Expo 2020 Dubai under its theme ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’, will be a gateway for people to connect all around the world, to experience the best of art, culture, geography, science, technology, innovation and invention and launch countless new thoughts and ideas that will impact our lives for the better. The opening ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai will be held on 30 September. The expo runs for six months, from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
