Bahamas Participates In World Expo 2020

Prime Minister Philip Davis is in Dubai, UAE, joining more than 160 Bahamians for an upcoming showcase of Bahamian culture and talent.

The World Expo is happening in Dubai this year, the first of a kind for this event that’s been happening in various forms since the start of the 19th century. While the large contingent has raised some eyebrows back home, organizers in Dubai say the benefits for future project development in the UAE is worth the investment now.

The Bahamas Pavilion – A 2-story, interactive, multi-purposed exhibit hall at the World Expo dubbed Dubai 2020.
It’s a first of kind, on such a large scale for the Bahamas at a world expo.

The lower-level is a historical and cultural demonstration of “things Bahamian”. From 2016, a team of volunteers has been planning and preparing for this. And, already hundreds of thousands have passed through.

In all 192 countries are on display here. But you can’t easily miss the Bahamas – with gigantic Junkanoo images covering the outside. Come Monday, all eyes will be on the us, for Bahamas National Day. Prime Minister Philip Davis is the keynote, accompanied by the Police Band, All Star Band, Junkanoo and Dynamite Daisy Productions – to name a few. Over 160 Bahamains are here to perform.

Corporate sponsorship from entities like Aliv, Cable Bahamas, Gonet Bank and FTX helped organizers raise the half a million needed to put this on. Along with a million-dollar government approved spend by the Ministry of Tourism.

The world expo happens every 5 years. Delayed a year by the pandemic, it is thought to be the Olympics of creativity and innovation.
A group of UB students selected the quadrant known as “sustainability” as the site for the pavilion. Very fitting – given the challenges of Hurricane Dorian and Covid 19.
It’s this kind of global awareness that is making The Bahamas a “must see” exhibit.