Morocco sees Expo 2020 Dubai as a “particularly significant event” to showcase its diverse talents on the international stage, the woman overseeing the kingdom’s pavilion has said.
The North African country has a long-standing tradition of participating in World Expos, dating back to 1867 in Paris.
Expo 2020 Dubai will be its 21st and one of the most important, said Nadia Fettah Alaoui, madame general commissioner of the Moroccan Pavilion.
Moroccans have made colossal progress in so many areas, such as infrastructure and industry. It is time to show the world
“Morocco’s participation will highlight the image of a modern country, a country in motion, committed and working on behalf of future generations, and will also strengthen the economic, commercial, and touristic appeal of our country,” she said.
“Expo 2020 Dubai will also be one of the very first worldwide events in the wake of the pandemic we have lived through for a year and a half.
“It is important for Morocco to be present, among 190 other countries, to show our unique approach to a sustainable future with serenity and commitment and to share our contribution, along with all nations of the world, to bring an end to this crisis.”
Traditional pavilion design
Designed by Moroccan architect Tarik Oualalou, the pavilion is made entirely of earth, using a traditional Moroccan construction technique to create 22 stacked rectangular sections.
The building’s 4,000 square-metre facade, which is 33 metres in height, was inspired by the Moroccan villages of the south.
Rammed earth, a technique that dates as far back as the Neolithic Period, helps regulate indoor conditions in hot and arid places and its use offers “an example of how such building methods can serve to inspire more sustainable models of urban development”, Oualalou said.
“In conjunction with other passive strategies used in the design of the building, such as wooden interior facades which double as sunscreens, the rammed-earth facade allows the pavilion to answer fully to the demanding ecological standards of Leed,” he said, referring to the sustainable building benchmark.
Inside, the pavilion has an inner courtyard, which is considered an important spatial element in traditional Moroccan architecture.
The 14 exhibition spaces inside the pavilion are connected by a continuous “inner street”, which begins at the building’s uppermost floor and gradually descends to the ground.
The pavilion, located in the Opportunity District, also includes a traditional Moroccan restaurant, a modern street-food area, an event space and 10 hanging gardens that will frame visitors’ views of the surrounding Expo as they descend to the building’s ground level.
The sequential exhibition spaces combine to tell the story of Morocco’s regions and cultures.
In line with this commitment to sustainability, Moroccan officials have said the pavilion will be converted into a housing complex after the Expo. It will be adapted to house apartments, an 80-metre-square swimming pool, a fitness club and a communal lounge.
From inspiring origins to sustainable progress
The Moroccan pavilion will have the theme ‘Legacies for the future – from inspiring origins to sustainable progress’.
“The goal is to tell the story of a Morocco that is proud of all of its origins, heritage legacy and values, the great men and remarkable women of our country, its natural resources and geographical location and all that have forged our identity,” Ms Alaoui said.
“We also wish to convey our connection to the notion of sustainability, which allows us to transform the many opportunities found in our country into tangible results.
“In Dubai, we will champion the story of this beautiful Morocco in motion, reinventing and transforming itself to adapt in a sustainable way, answering the great challenges facing humanity, both now and in the future.”
Ms Alaoui said the pavilion’s interior captures important aspects of Morocco, taking visitors on a journey as they move through its exhibition spaces.
“First there is the village and then there is the scenographic journey inside the village, which does not follow a classical museum scenography, but rather a series of powerfully immersive experiences,” she said.
“Each doorway leads to a unique, interactive and playful experience that engages both body and mind, allowing visitors to discover and, I hope, fall in love with a plural Morocco.
“The Moroccan Pavilion will affirm the Morocco brand by its exceptional location and architecture, proof of which is our intention to patent this process that transforms an ancient earth construction into innovation.”
Expo 2020 will also be an opportunity for Moroccan businesses to connect with other countries that might not be traditional trade partners.
“Moroccans have made colossal progress in so many areas, such as infrastructure and industry, even during this crisis. It is time to show the world,” Ms Alaoui said.
“It is also critical for B2B [business to business] that this is the first time a universal exposition will take place in this part of the world, which will open up countries and regions that aren’t familiar with us.
“Our anchored position in Africa is both a heritage and an ambition for the future. This is a highly important moment for all partners to showcase what they do and what they aspire to do.”
She said the Global Business Forum Africa in mid-October would be important for Morocco.
During the six months of Expo, she said, Morocco will take part in the 11 themed weeks organised by Expo, as well as the UAE’s Golden Jubilee in December.
Morocco will also celebrate its national day on December 26 with a major event.
“We will be very present at the Women’s Pavilion, an innovation at the universal exposition, where many talented Moroccan women from all fields – associative, scientific and cultural – will participate and inspire us,” she said.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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The%20specs
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
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Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Salah in numbers
€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of €39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.
13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.
57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.
7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.
3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.
40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.
30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.
8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
- Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
- Do not put them in a recycling bin
- Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
More on Turkey's Syria offence
Specs
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