Dubai Expo 2020

The Dubai Expo 2020 carries the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. This programme provides a platform to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration globally.

For the first time in the 167-year history of World Expos, each participating country will have its own pavilion at Expo 2020, giving all nations the opportunity to showcase their achievements, innovations, aspirations, and cultures to the world.

“Mobility is one of the key pillars of Expo 2020 Dubai,” said Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau. “We see it as the bridge to opportunity by connecting people, goods and ideas and providing easier access to markets, knowledge and innovation. UPS will play a key role – not only during Expo 2020 Dubai but long after the doors close.”

Malaysia was also one of the participating countries, carrying the theme “Energising Sustainability” that captures Malaysia’s commitment to balance socio-economic progress with environmental concerns, to ensure a secure and sustainable future.

The Academy of Sciences Malaysia participated in several engagements throughout the Expo. Ms Hazami Habib represented the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in a forum during the Dubai Expo 2020 on 14 October 2021. The one-hour forum delved into how the Malaysian RDCIE ecosystem will be supercharged through systemic changes over the next decade.

During the forum, three national initiatives were highlighted. According to the Minister of MOSTI, these initiatives launched will set the tone for the next ten years:

• The National Policy for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NPSTI) 2021-2030
• 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Framework
• Malaysia Grand Challenges (MGC).

The forum was moderated by Ben Ibrahim and featured Mr Jaffri Ibrahim (CREST CEO) and Dr David Lacey (Director of R&D, OSRAM) alongside Ms Hazami.

The panel unpacked the opportunities within the Malaysian RDCIE landscape and how it can take on an international flavour towards expanding the innovation performance not only in Malaysia but the region.

In addition, Malaysia has engaged several countries in knowledge exchange sessions at the Dubai Expo. Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, MOSTI’s Deputy Secretary-general (Planning and Culture of Science) and Puan Hazami Habib, CEO of ASM shared their insight with representatives from China to explore Mars as well as hydrogen-powered cars.

Ms Hazami and Dr Nagu also paid an official visit to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to learn about their ongoing research and development in solar energy technology and water management integration system. The system is currently implemented in Dubai for a more efficient national resource management.

Ms Hazami also had the opportunity to meet HE Mohammad Dansanta Rumi, Ambassador of Nigeria in Dubai to explore how a Malaysia-Nigeria collaboration could potentially build competitiveness in the start-up ecosystem in selected sectors, such as medical health, education, and digital economy.