The Republic of Haiti celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on Wednesday with a flag raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza and a unique cultural performance that featured the reading of a poem focused on love and humanity.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence,and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, welcomed Jean Victor Geneus, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Haiti.

Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said: “Through its participation, Haiti sheds a new light on its cultural, artistic, and historical wealth, promotes its potential in the bio-economy and tourism spheres, and sends a message of readiness to strengthen ties with other stakeholders on the global stage.

“We highly value the relationship shared with Haiti and look forward to exploring new frameworks of shared interest between our two countries, for our collective benefit and prosperity.”

Jean Victor Geneus said: “I am proud to chair the official delegation from Haiti and to participate with them in this important event. This is a gesture of great friendship, solidarity and human fraternity between the two peoples, which points to future cooperation between our two states.

“Haiti has many assets and offers enormous investment opportunities. The potential in the field of energy, tourism and other sectors are great. I invite investors from all over the world during this beautiful occasion that is Expo 2020 Dubai to come to Haiti and take advantage of these vast opportunities.”

Haiti has dedicated 2022 as the year of ‘La Belle Amour Humaine’, which translates to ‘Beautiful Human Love’, in honour of the writer Jacques Stephen Alexis who was born on 22 April 1922. Following the speeches at the National Day Ceremony, Her Excellency Emmelie Prophète, Haiti’s Minister of Culture read the passages of a poem focused on love and humanity, accompanied by drummers on the Stage of Nations.

The Haiti Pavilion – located in the Mobility District – tells the story of a country with a history almost as fascinating and unique as its geography, and allows visitors to witness all that is remarkable about this Caribbean nation, including its natural beauty and its people.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo 2020 Dubai’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.