With the closing date of Expo 2020 Dubai approaching, the Barbados delegation celebrated its National Day, led by H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, accompanied by the Ambassador of Barbados to the UAE, H.E. Gabriel Abed, and Ms. Kay Ann Brathwaite, CEO of Invest Barbados, on Saturday, March 26, 2022. The National day celebrations included musical performances, dining experiences, discussions about the climate change crisis and more.
H. E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, impressed the globe with her powerful address to fellow world leaders at last year’s COP26 in Glasgow, at which she highlighted the need to “try harder” to avert catastrophic climate change.
On March 26, 2022, in conjunction with the Barbados National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai, Her Excellency hosted a youth forum on the climate change crisis, to create a discussion with the youth from countries on the front line of the climate crisis. To focus on the gravity of the current situation, and encourage adherence to this challenge, the event took place from 11am-1pm at the Expo Media Centre, where young visitors had the opportunity to have a spontaneous discussion with the Prime Minister of Barbados on a topic critical to the future of humanity.
The Barbados delegation continued its celebrations after the forum with an event hosted by Barbadian Chef Trevon Stout at Farrago Restaurant at Expo 2020 Dubai, to introduce Expo visitors to the flavors of the Caribbean island and traditional dishes such as Bajan fish cakes, as well as flying fish and cou cou, a creamy pudding made with corn flour and okra.
Following that, the Barbados delegation moved to the Platform of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza to launch the celebration ceremony by raising the flags of the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Barbados and playing the national anthem of both countries, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation. Visitors then enjoyed the cultural dance and music performances of Barbados.
The Barbados delegation, led by His Excellency Mia Motley, then headed to the Barbados pavilion, where His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak was hosted and had a special introductory tour of the pavilion, followed by a visit to the United Arab Emirates pavilion, in which the Barbados delegates learned about the history of the host country.
The events concluded with a concert at Festival Garden Stage, which featured a high-energy show by performers who have flown in from Barbados for the occasion. Some of Barbados’ finest talents, including Edwin Yearwood, TC, Arturo Tappin, Peter Ram, Mahalia and Nicholas Brancker, took the stage in a celebration of all things Bajan, presented by the Barbados National Cultural Foundation.
