In what might be called “saving the best for last,” the World Expo in Dubai featured the Marshall Islands this past Sunday, the final celebration of Pacific Islands national days at the expo in the United Arab Emirates.
NRC Minister John Silk headed the large RMI delegation to Dubai.
At the gala affair Sunday, Silk and delegation were greeted upon arrival by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs. They made their way from the Expo 2020 Leadership Pavilion to the Stage of Nations at the gigantic Al Wasl Plaza Dome where fellow Pacific Island dignitaries, including the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna, Solomon Islands Ambassador Moses Kouni Mose, Papua New Guinea’s Commissioner General Sir Joshua Kalinoe, Tongan Ambassador to the UAE ‘Akau’ola, Tuvalu Ambassador to the UAE Aunesse Makoi Simati and other invited dignitaries and members of the Pacific Community greeted the RMI entourage.
A flag raising was followed by speeches by both Silk and Al Shamsi.
The highlight of the Marshall Islands day was the music and dance performance of a small, but skilled dance group from Namdrik Atoll that was decked out in traditional outfits.