Expo 2020 Dubai on the 27th of November celebrated Côte d'Ivoire’s National Day at Al Wasl Square, with Prime Minister Patrick Achey amongst the dignitaries. His Excellency Achey mentioned in his speech that it was a delight to be at the Expo 2020 and terming his time around the global showpiece “a unique experience”.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to go to all countries of the world but being at the Expo gives one the opportunity to go around the world in one place” concluded Prime Minister Achey.
Ivorian sensation and internationally acclaimed footballing legend, Didier Drogba, who hails from Abidjan, was also present at the event. The former Chelsea icon delivered a keynote address where he expressed his joy to be at the global event to showcase to the world all that his country has to offer.
The now 43-year old retired striker reitirated his passion for his native land, going on to say “Côte d'Ivoire is where I come from, this is my country” as he invited the world to come explore what his West African nation has on offer for global investment.
The Executive Director of the office of the Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali spoke about how committed Côte d'Ivoire is to the industrial development of its agricultural sector and the use of smart technology to ensure a better quality of life for its people.
“We firmly believe that Côte d'Ivoire’s participation in the Expo 2020 will provide this friendly country with a platform to highlight what it can offer to the rest of the world” remarked Al Ali.
Several Ministers and senior officials from Côte d'Ivoire were in attendance at the event, with great performances from the Galikan Folk Band, the Ananika troupe, the Magic System group and the traditional balafon instrument.
Côte d'Ivoire’s pavilion is found at the Mobility District with a mission of driving an economic and cultural renaissance.
The pavilion showcases the vibrant culture of its people as well as its long and rich history of storytelling through films. There are series of films at the pavilion that display the development of the country’s agricultural sector as well as start-up companies in the technology world.
