The UAE’s participation in the 2012 Yeosu Expo, which ends today, has added to the UAE’s credential as a Middle East hub to pave the smooth way for Dubai’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo.

The UAE also earned international endorsement as the role model for emerging economies by showcasing the UAE’s phenomenal development achieved in less than half a century under the wise and visionary leadership of the country which differentiated it from other countries.

Against the backdrop of the well-designed UAE pavilion that took centre-stage during the three-month-long event, the UAE has rebranded its national image as a country of environment conservation backed up by sustainable renewable energy development and environment protection drive characterised by carbon-free Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has thus far been known here among many locals simply as a small rich Arab country blessed with huge crude oil reserves.

During the 2012 Expo, the UAE also boosted its national image by announcing its bid to host the 2020 Dubai World Expo.

The UAE became a role model for environment conservation efforts thanks to its main films, including “Turtle”.

The UAE pavilion also served as a platform to share advanced knowledge in renewable energy as well as carbon-free Masdar City, which is now under construction in Abu Dhabi.

Kang Hyun-Joo, deputy spokesperson of the 2012 Yeosu Expo, said in an interview with Wam that many Korean visitors to the UAE pavilion were moved and inspired by “Turtle”, which showcased how the importance of pollution-free seas, aligning with 2012 Expo theme, “Living Ocean and Coastal Activities”.

Seong Dae-seock, a well-known TV journalist who once worked as KBS TV’s prime-time news anchor, said that the 2012 Yeosu Expo has “opened our eyes wide as to the growing role of women in UAE in all segments of the society, reshaping our conventional knowledge of Arab women who have long been described as subject of discrimination against in social activities”.

Seong, who is also the president of the Association of Korean Journalists, was referring to Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo, who was here in mid-June to attend the UAE Day event at the 2012 Yeosu Expo, in which Dubai’s bid to host the 2020 Dubai Expo was announced.

Her energetic yet free-wheeling activities exposed to the Korean audience through KBS TV came rather as a shock for many Korean women who were misinformed about the social status of women in Arab world.

Another important lesson learned from the UAE pavilion was importance of volunteerism exemplified by well-educated and trained Emirati women volunteers on duty at the UAE pavilion.

Korean visitors praised the devoted services of Emirati volunteers with personal care, particularly for elderly and handicapped people visiting the 2012 Yeosu Expo.

Rotarians from District 3650 of Rotary International, led by Kah Jae-mo, on August 3 delivered a letter of appreciation to Emirati volunteers at the UAE pavilion, who showcased how it is to be role models for volunteers. Kah noted that Rotary International stresses the benefits and importance of volunteerism, both within one’s own community and internationally. An Emirati volunteer said that voluntary work in the UAE has an important position in the institutional and individual level.

Dr Charles Mercieca, president of IAEWP, UN-NGO (Ecosoc), lauded the UAE’s National Media Council and its staff for reaching out to audiences at the 2012 Yeosu Expo with its films. “We did not hesitate to select ‘Turtle’ as the best film at the 2012 Yeosu Expo,” he said in his message.

In the meantime, Giuseppe Sala, CEO of Milan Expo 2015, wished good luck to Dubai in its bid. Sala made the remarks when he met with Wam. He was to attend the closing ceremony of the 2012 Yeosu Expo.

He also said that the Milan Expo 2015 has been working closely with the UAE regarding its participation at Expo 2015, pointing out that the UAE’s technical delegation is scheduled to be Milan next month in order to define areas of collaboration.