Papua New Guinea showcases its cultural diversity

The Land of 850 Languages... Celebrates One Spirit at Expo Dubai

  • Papua New Guinean customs decorate Al Wasl Square during festivities.

    From the source

  • Sam Bassil: "The (Expo Dubai) experience will go down in history as one of the innovative experiences of the countries of the world."

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Amid traditional performances that embody its cultural diversity and land rich in ethnicities and languages, Papua New Guinea celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, the day before yesterday.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of Papua New Guinea, Sam Bassil, during the ceremony organized at Al Wasl Square.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said: "Through its participation in (Expo Dubai), Papua New Guinea highlights its economic potential, in addition to its achievements in the field of sustainable development, its rich culture, and the diversity of its tribes."

He added: “Papua New Guinea has always been considered an important player in promoting environmental conservation and tackling climate change.

The UAE looks forward to intensifying joint cooperation efforts in these areas, as well as constantly strengthening our relations.”

The Papua New Guinea Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai demonstrates the importance of living in balance with the environment, which is critical for a country with the world's largest biodiversity and the third largest rainforest after the Amazon and Congo.

Visitors are surprised to learn that Papua New Guinea, with a population of 8.5 million, is home to 1,000 different tribes, and its people speak more than 850 languages.

For his part, Sam Basil said: “Besides the cultural richness and biodiversity, Papua New Guinea has the third largest rainforest in the world, and rainforests contribute not only to the health of the world’s lungs, but to the global agenda on climate change.”

"Those rainforests need protection, and Papua New Guinea will need the international community, including bilateral partnerships with like-minded nations, to help preserve this great international asset through a long-term partnership."

Bassil continued, "The comprehensive way in which Expo 2020 Dubai was organized gave countries the opportunity to participate in cultural, trade and investment talks, which works to bring the world closer together."

He considered that the Expo 2020 Dubai experience will go down in history as one of the innovative experiences of the countries of the world that live and work together in one village.

The festivities saw parades in which the band wore ornate outfits, creating an eye-catching look that included everything from jewelry and body paint to feathers and headpieces.

• 1000 different tribes in Papua New Guinea, which has 8.5 million people.

The country of cocoa and vanilla

Papua New Guinea's pavilion highlights its rich land of crops, mineral and petroleum resources, and exportable commodities such as coffee, chocolate, cocoa and vanilla, among others.