The King attends Expo 2020 in Dubai

On Wednesday 15 December, The King attended Sweden's National Day at the Expo 2020 world exhibition in Dubai.

CEO of Business Sweden Jan Larsson, Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, State Secretary Krister Nilsson, Ambassador Liselott Andersson, Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King with Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at Expo 2020.

CEO of Business Sweden Jan Larsson, Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, State Secretary Krister Nilsson, Ambassador Liselott Andersson, Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King with Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at Expo 2020. Photo: Antony Fleyhan/Expo2020 Dubai

The King attended Sweden's National Day at the Expo 2020 world exhibition together with Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and a Swedish trade delegation. Sweden's participation is based on cooperation between state and industry. 143 Swedish businesses are taking part.

The Government's aim for Swedish participation in Expo 2020 in Dubai is to strengthen an all-round positive image of Sweden abroad, to promote Sweden as a knowledge nation, the competitiveness of its industry and its creativity, and to reinforce Sweden's attractiveness for tourism, investment and exchanges of research, innovation and culture.

During an official opening ceremony for Sweden's National Day, The King gave an address in which he said:

According to global rankings, Sweden is one of the most innovative countries in the world. All of Sweden participates in making this possible: women and men, young and old, students, researchers and companies. We innovate together, and we create together.

HM The King

The King gives a speech during the opening ceremony.

The King gives a speech during the opening ceremony. Photo: Christopher Edralin/Expo2020 Dubai

Cirkus Cirkör and Molly Sandén performed during the opening ceremony. The ceremony was followed by a tour of the Swedish pavilion.

The pavilion – called The Forest – is constructed entirely from wood, and houses an exhibition focusing on Swedish innovative and sustainable solutions to societal challenges. The overall theme for Sweden's participation is co-creation for innovation.

The King, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg at the Swedish pavilion.

The King, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg at the Swedish pavilion. Photo: David Koriako/Expo2020 Dubai

Later, The King attended the Smart Society Summit. The summit highlighted Swedish smart solutions and how an open, innovative society not only meets the needs of inhabitants, but also contributes towards a broader sustainability objective.

Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg, The King and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the world exhibition.

Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg, The King and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the world exhibition. Photo: Antony Fleyhan/Expo2020 Dubai

Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King are given a guided tour of the Swedish pavilion, The Forest.

Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King are given a guided tour of the Swedish pavilion, The Forest. Photo: Margareta Thorgren/The Royal Court of Sweden

Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King are given a guided tour of the Swedish pavilion.

Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, Minister for Foreign Trade Anna Hallberg and The King are given a guided tour of the Swedish pavilion. Photo: Margareta Thorgren/The Royal Court of Sweden

The King, Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, Ambassador Liselott Andersson and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the Swedish pavilion.

The King, Commissioner-General for Sweden at Expo 2020 Jan Thesleff, Ambassador Liselott Andersson and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the Swedish pavilion. Photo: David Koriako/Expo2020 Dubai

Thursday 16 December

The King's visit to the Expo 2020 world exhibition continued on the Thursday.

The King visited the Swedish pavilion and attended a seminar – Technology and Sustainability: the need for knowledge and collaboration – which was jointly hosted by the Swedish and Swiss ambassadors.

The King then visited the pavilions of Egypt, the USA, India, Germany and South Korea together with members of the official delegation.

The King signs the guest book at the Expo 2020 world exhibition in Dubai.

The King signs the guest book at the Expo 2020 world exhibition in Dubai. Photo: Hamdi Tak/The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The history of the world exhibition

The first world exhibition – the Great Exhibition – was held in London in 1851, at the specially built Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. The International Bureau of Expositions was established in 1928 to coordinate world exhibitions. A world exhibition is held in a designated host country every five years.

Photo: Hamdi Tak/The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

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