Australian Trade, Tourism, and Investment Minister Dan Tehan opened the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, promising tourists an extraordinary journey through 60,000 years of innovation by the country’s indigenous communities.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Reem Al Hashimy, General Manager of Expo 2020 Dubai; Justin McGowan, Commissioner General of the Pavilion; and Heidi Venamore, the Australian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Tehan said: “What we have in our pavilion is unusual. “It captures 60,000 years of unique innovation and our beautiful native history. “But it also shows where Indigenous Australians are today, how they are at the forefront of everything we do as a nation, especially in terms of innovation. “Take the hearts and minds of Australians”. Said Dan Tehan.

The pavilion’s “Blue Sky Dreaming” theme celebrates Australia’s indigenous culture as the world’s oldest living civilization. It emphasizes the indigenous connection to land, sky, and sea and encompasses the idea of thinking about the blue sky that has inspired Australian innovations over the past 60,000 years. Tehan said: “The sky is the limit for the future of our nation.

“That’s why [the pavilion] is called [Blue Sky Dreaming ‘, as a nation we continue to dream and dream about greatness and make sure we keep our place in the world.” Located in the Mobility Zone, the pavilion will host a series of events and debates during the six months of Expo 2020 aimed at building networks, exploring business and investment opportunities, and promoting collaboration on global challenges.

Al Hashimy said: “‘ Blue Sky Dreaming ’is a theme that perfectly embodies the invincible spirit of Australia: energetic, innovative, and courageous, living for the future and always aware of the past. “Australia’s program will involve multiple generations of cultural, scientific and social development, from world-class sports and entertainment to the connection between indigenous tradition and contemporary space exploration with the future of cities as social melting pots with inclusion and sustainability at its core. “Australia will play a key role in the global conversation about our connected future.”