EXPO Commissioner General, Salem Al Ameri and Chief Operating Officer of TDIC, Ahmed Hussein, sign the agreement on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE's EXPO Commissioner General, Salem Al Ameri and Chief Operating Officer of TDIC, Ahmed Hussein, signed the agreement to enable the longterm utilisation of the impressive building that has already won widespread praise for its innovative form and organic nature.

Commenting on the significant MoU, the NMC'ss Chairman and Minister of Labour, Saqr Ghobash, stated that this was a groundbreaking initiative that is in tune with the country’s efforts at promoting sustainable development. “Rather than see all the work, effort, materials and investment that have gone into this project be lost at the closure of the exhibition, we felt that it would be much better to create a building that can be taken apart, transported and rebuilt back here in the UAE,”the Minister stated. "We are pleased to have TDIC as a partner in this initiative and are confident that their own plans for the building will be of benefit to all our people.>

Upon signing the agreement on behalf of the NMC (the body responsible for executing the UAE’s participation at EXPO 2010), Salem Al Ameri highlighted the importance of the UAE Pavilion in presenting the achievements of the country, particularly in relation to the general theme of EXPO 2010, “Better City, Better Life.”

“The UAE’s participation is on a scale that befits the importance of the event, both in terms of the UAE’s commitment to the World EXPO movement and in terms of the perceived importance of taking the UAE story to the Chinese people in a positive and innovative manner,” he commented. Mr Al Ameri also praised the vision and foresight of the UAE Government under its President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and its Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for its solid support of the project and pledged to create a powerful, positive and long lasting impression, representing the whole UAE, for all the exhibition’s visitors.

Responding to these comments Mr Ahmed Hussein, COO of TDIC, thanked the National Media Council, on behalf of TDIC and its parent company, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) for “the generous gift of the UAE Pavilion building,” which he described as “truly iconic.” “The UAE Pavilion in Shanghai will be an impressive experience for visitors from around the world to delve into UAE’s multifaceted culture and development. TDIC certainly looks forward to importing this amazing piece of architecture to Abu Dhabi and to setting it up as an experience centre in a prime destination that will attract many fascinated visitors,” he added.

“The UAE Pavilion is a prime example of promoting culture and understanding through architecture that is inspired by a key natural feature of our beautiful nation. Our interest and commitment in ensuring the long term life of the building underlines TDIC’s commitment to focus on cultural and sustainability elements in line with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 economic vision, such as building world-class museums on Saadiyat Island,” Ahmed Hussein explained.

The UAE’s participation at Expo 2010, taking place in Shanghai, China from May 1st to October 31st, 2010, follows a highly successful series of UAE Pavilions at previous World expositions organised by the Paris-based body, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). The dune-shaped UAE Pavilion in Shanghai will showcase the recent history and modern development of the UAE in an engaging and entertaining way leaving its visitors with a strong desire to experience the UAE at first hand, familiarise themselves with Emiratis and explore business opportunities with UAE companies.

The pavilion itself, designed by world reknowned architects Foster Partners, headed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster who designed the Zayed National Museum for Saadiyat Island Cultural District (due for completion in 2013), has been built to optimise energy efficiency in relation to solar energy and temperature control. Whilst inspired by the organic undulating form of sand dunes, it is an ultra-modern structure covered in a rosy-golden tiling whose reflecting properties simulate the ever-changing colour of natural dunes. Diffused light penetrates the structure during the day and spectacularly illuminates the pavilion by night.

The UAE pavilion will showcase the country's past and highlight the government's efforts to protect the UAE’s heritage, blending it with the designs of modern and future cities. It will present the UAE development model and how the country became one of the fastest growing economies in the world, explained Salem Al Ameri.

The NMC is engaging with a wide range of companies and organisations that are helping to enhance the country’s participation in the event. One of its main promotional initiatives is a Dream Journey prize-draw which is being supported by key travel and tourism organisations. “We plan to create a unique UAE visit that deserves the title ‘Dream Journey,” explained Salem Al Ameri. “We have been encouraged by the response of different organisations that we are enabling to become partners in our project, he added. TDIC, through its commitment to invest time, money and expertise in translocating the UAE Pavilion is an important partner that has also showed its willingness to support us in a variety of ways, the Commissioner General concluded “We welcome that and we congratulate them on their foresight in entering into this agreement.”