The USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will share “the American spirit of freedom” that inspires people to create and innovate, according to a top US official.
“America was built on freedom, which has attracted generations of people to create and to innovate,” said Robert Clark, Commissioner General of the US Pavilion in an exclusive interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM). “This spirit endures and thrives today, and we look forward to sharing our story with Expo visitors.”
Clark added that the USA Pavilion will welcome millions in-person and online.
“We tell the story of ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of the Future,” he said. “This powerful theme celebrates the people, ideas, and American contributions that have changed and improved lives in the United States and around the world.”
Own success story
Clark revealed that his own life was an example of realising those values. “Throughout my life in the United States, I have witnessed these values in action. Over 35 years ago, I started a construction company with a team of two – myself and one employee. Through dedication to customer service, positive outcomes, and community engagement, we grew from two to 3,000 employees, constructing some of America’s most remarkable buildings,” he said.
Dubai’s vibrant ambience
Clark said he was quite impressed by Dubai’s ambience after landing in the city during the weekend.
“This past weekend, my wife Jane and I arrived in Dubai, the city we will call home for the next six months. I have been struck by the safe and vibrant atmosphere,” he said. “Expo 2020 Dubai will bring visitors from near and far, and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
The Commissioner General praised the government of the United Arab Emirates for transforming “the sands of the desert into a thriving World’s Fair site, complete with spaces for 192 nations to connect and to shape our collective future”.
Unique feature of pavilion
Talking about the unique features of the US pavilion, Clark pointed out Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Quran, which will leave the United States for the first time from its home at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
A Martian meteorite; an actual piece of the Moon; and a one-to-one replica of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket are the other unique attractions, he added.
About his priorities as the Commissioner General, Clark said he will devote himself to creating opportunities for others – particularly for American companies which are eager to engage with new markets through the Expo platform.
“As a crossroads in the region, Dubai is especially well-placed to bring together companies and customers to create new opportunities for growth,” he said. “At the USA Pavilion, we will welcome business delegations from American cities and states, as they explore partnerships for investment and development with global counterparts.”