Tonga's National Day celebrated at Dubai Expo [1]
Monday, March 7, 2022 - 17:43
Tonga's National Day was marked at the Expo 2020 in Dubai on March 4 with a special event that included cultural performances.
The event attended by Tonga's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, HE Hon. Fanetupouvava'u Tu'ivakano was an opportunity to thank Expo's participating nations for their compassion, after Tonga's devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami in January.
It also showcased five cultural performances by Feniu Cultural Dance Group, which included a lakalaka.
HE Noah Al Hammadi, Director of East Asia and the Pacific, MOFAIC, said through its Expo 2020 Dubai participation, Tonga invites visitors to learn about its traditions, history, and the relationship that has been cultivated between the Tongan people and their unique environment.
"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2006, our relationship with Tonga has continued to develop on several fronts, and we look forward to witnessing greater opportunities for collaboration between our two countries, across all areas of shared interest, for our mutual benefit and prosperity.”
Tonga's Ambassador to the UAE, HE Hon ‘Akau’ola said, HM King Tupou VI knew that with the UAE hosting the first-ever World Expo in the MENA region, the world was about to witness something extraordinary, and that this would be an unprecedented opportunity for our small South Pacific kingdom.
He said, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2006, our relationship with Tonga had continued to develop on several fronts, and we looked forward to witnessing greater opportunities for collaboration between our two countries, across all areas of shared interest, for our mutual benefit and prosperity.
"Our pavilion has enabled us to share our values, and our concerns with regards to climate change and environmental threats, and to do our part, teaching the children of the world the dangers of pollution, how it affects our oceans, and the need to grow up to be smarter and more responsible than the generations before."
To date, they have welcomed close to 200,000 visitors to the Tonga Pavilion. No other travel or trade show or expo had provided Tonga with this level of exposure, he said.