Sultanate to participate in international expo ‘Yeosu 2012’

[worldfairs]

Article seen on Oman Daily Observer

The Sultanate will take part in the International Exposition ‘Yeosu 2012’, which will be hosted by the Republic of Korea from May 12 to August 12, 2012 under the slogan ‘Living Oceans and Coasts’, said Mohsen bin Khamis al Balushi (pictured) , Advisor of the Commerce and Industry Ministry and General Commissioner of the Sultanate's pavilion at a press conference yesterday.
He affirmed that the Sultanate's participation in this expo comes as per the decision of the Council of Ministers to accept the invitation forwarded by the government of the friendly Republic of Korea to take part in the expo.
He added that a ministerial committee has been set up to supervise the preparations for the Sultanates' participation in the expo. This ministerial committee is chaired by Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Inferior Minister, and includes the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, the Environment and Climate Affairs Minister, the Commerce and Industry Minister, the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Regional Municipalities and Water Resources Minister, the Tourism Minister and Vice Principal of SQU as members.
He added that he was selected as general commissioner of the Sultanate's pavilion at the International Exposition Yeosu 2012 as per the decision of the ministerial committee.
He pointed out that the three sub-themes of the expo includes development and preservation of coasts and marine biodiversity, new resources of technology and marine industries and creative ocean activity, such as environment, climate and marine arts.
He pointed out that the expo is an ideal opportunity for decision makers, as well as public and civil organisations from different parts of the world to discuss the importance of preserving oceans and coastal environments.
He noted that the main aims of the expo are to enhance the international community's awareness about the importance of oceans, sea environments, coasts and highlight their real values. It also aims at exploring the best measures for protecting them and preserving the natural resources, exchange expertise and knowledge on the sustainable use of the oceans and seas. It aims at urging the international community to foster co-operation in the field of developing marine resources, especially with the developing countries to get expertise and transfer of clean technologies in the field of marine industries.
It also aims at enabling participants to share knowledge in the field of science, technologies and developed marine industries.
He affirmed that the Sultanate has attached great interest to preserve environment and natural resources as they play an important role in enhancing the sources of national economy.
The Sultanate's participation in such environment related expos and forums will play an important role in embodying the thought of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos towards the protection of environment and preservation of its natural resources.
He added that the Sultanate's participation in Yeosu will have special importance as the Exo coincides with the 40th anniversary of Stockholm Declaration 1972, the 30th anniversary of Nairobi Declaration in 1982 and the 20th anniversary for the Reo De Janiro Declaration in 1992.
He said that through this expo, the Sultanate will introduce its geography, history and culture and showcase the developmental achievements witnessed by the Sultanate in all walks of life during the blessed era of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. It will also help in promoting the Sultanate as a tourism destination and investment hub.
He noted that the Sultanate's pavilion will be under the theme 'Care for marine wealth ' through the design of the external façade of the pavilion (about 786 sq m in size). The design is
inspired from the Omani environment and will showcase the Omani pioneering role in the field of marine sciences and explorations. He added that the pavilion will be divided into a number of departments and main themes that showcase the blessed.