Universal Expo in Dubai: the Swiss pavilion is already ready
Delivered to Presence Switzerland the approximately 2,000-square-meter structure in the Emirates desert, which began in late 2019 and cost 16.5 million francs
Switzerland has completed the construction of its Pavilion for the Dubai World Expo, the last step before the opening of one of the most anticipated events of the year, on October 1, 2021, whose theme is “Uniting Minds, Creating the Future.”
The Expo will be a platform for exchange for more than 190 countries and will enable the Swiss Confederation to profile itself and promote its economy in the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland’s leading trading partner in the MENA region.
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The 2,000-square-meter cubic structure in the Emirates desert, which began in late 2019, was handed over to Presence Switzerland, which will operate it during the World Expo.
The wishes of Nicolas Bideau, Director of Presence Switzerland
“Our little corner of Switzerland at Expo is ready for a spectacular event in Dubai. In these difficult times for our export economy, this Pavilion will be the symbol and engine of a restart that we all need,” said Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Director of Presence Switzerland.
The Dubai World Expo will be the first to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and to be organized by an Arab country.
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In line with the Federal Council’s new MENA Strategy 2021-2024, the Swiss Pavilion will be a place for dialogue where government representatives and actors from business, science and civil society can meet.
This platform will also facilitate exchanges on topics such as health, climate change or digitization.
From Yverdon-les-Bains in 2002 to the Persian Gulf of today
In Dubai, the Swiss Pavilion will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the Confederation.
The experience will open with a sea of fog similar to that which enveloped the Arteplage of Expo 02 in Yverdon-les-Bains.
The mist will then give way to a sound and light show that mimics the transition from day to night in the Swiss Alps.
At this point, visitors will be able to enter a model of a hyper-connected Swiss city, symbolizing the Alpine country’s degree of digitization.
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The last part of the tour includes a series of exhibits on Swiss innovation, the result of collaboration with the academic world and the ecosystem of Swiss start-ups. At the end of the visit it will be possible to taste a Swiss coffee and chocolate.
The Swiss National Day will be held on October 29, 2021 and will be attended by an official delegation led by the President of the Confederation, Guy Parmelin.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will instead travel to Dubai in February 2022 to inaugurate an exhibition dedicated to the theme of water diplomacy.
An ideal model of public-private partnership
The Swiss Pavilion was designed by the Zurich-based architects OOS and Bellprat Partner, as well as the landscape architect Eugster Lorenz, and its construction was entrusted to Expomobilia of Basel.
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The building integrates sustainable building solutions such as scaffolding and textiles made from environmentally friendly products and uses recycled concrete.
The Swiss Pavilion relies on a public-private partnership: Schindler, Rolex SA, Switzerland Tourism, Clariant, Novartis, Nestlé Middle East and North Africa, Roche, KGS Diamond Group Ltd and other Swiss suppliers are part of the project.
The costs for the Pavilion amount to 16.5 million francs.
