Solomon Islands Head of Delegation to the Dubai Expo 2020, Minister Frederick Kologeto has conveyed the Solomon Islands Government’s gratitude to the Government and People of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the occasion celebrating Solomon Islands National Day at the main Expo Village on Tuesday 21 December.

H.E Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for International Development Affairs.

In his address, Minister Kologeto congratulated the government of the United Arab Emirates and its visionary hard working citizens on their 50th National anniversary day which was celebrated on the 2 December 2021.

He said Solomon Islands is indeed honored and proud to participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai – the greatest and inspiring show on earth.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, I sincerely thank the Government and People of the United Arab Emirates for hosting such an iconic and extravaganza Dubai Expo 2020,” Minister Kologeto said.

Solomon Islands Country theme for the Expo 2020 Dubai is “Connecting our Solomons with Ocean of Opportunities.”

Kologeto said as a Small Islands Developing State and a Large Ocean State – Solomon Islands celebrate its rich diversity as one people and nation as a country that speaks more than 87 different languages.

“We have so much to offer the world, the largest coral island with fresh water lake, we are part of the coral triangle, the epicentre of the world’s marine life, 76% of the world’s coral species, 37% of coral reef fish and 53% of the world’s reefs with undersea volcanoes and diverse volcanic islands,” Kologeta said in reference to the country theme.

Kologeto highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address climate change issues and thanked the contribution by the UAE government as one of the first countries to establish Solomon Islands solar farm.

He said climate change remains a threat multiplier for Solomon Islands and it can only be solved by having greener, cleaner and low carbon economies.

“We are pleased to acknowledge the UAE as one of the first countries to establish our solar farm. Renewable energy remains the golden thread in empowering our people, constructing a resilient economy and transforming our 900 islands more closely with the global economy,” Kologeto said.

The Minister added that the global challenges we face today including the Covid-19 pandemic and impacts of climate change cannot be solved by any single country or group of countries on their own but the global community can only find ways to address these global challenges through working together.

“On this note, let me warmly congratulate and commend the United Arab Emirates and the Dubai Expo Authority for your strong determination, commitment and perseverance in hosting this magnificent world Exposition, in spite of the looming challenges brought on by the covid-19 pandemic,” Kologeto said.

“Your resolve to proceed with this greatest show in the face of this pandemic only proves beyond doubt the sterling leadership of the United Arab Emirates government and the persevering spirit of the hard working people of the United Arab Emirates together with collaboration and participation of our global family members around world,” Kologeto added.

The Dubai Expo 2020 is the first ever event that provided every single country a pavilion of its own to showcase its own products and information centers manned by their own staff and volunteer support.

The National Day celebrations were marked by the countries cultural and contemporary performances energized by the renowned pan pipe sounds and chants of the Solomons.
By DCU