Beijing 13th of January
The Nordic Countries launched their program for cooperation for the run up to and duration of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai today.
The individual Nordic countries’ pavilions for the World Expo as well as plans for cooperation were presented at a dinner reception in Beijing for the Expo National Organizing Committee. The occasion of the Pre-Expo event was the visit to China of Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, HE Trond Giske.
"The Nordic countries have much in common, and our common message at Expo 2010 is welfare and sustainability," Minister Giske said in his speech during the reception.
In Aichi, Japan 2005, the Nordic countries participated with a joint pavilion. In Shanghai, due to the significance of China and the size of the World Expo 2010, the Nordic countries have decided to participate with five individual pavilions. The pavilions are located closely together in the European area of the Expo and the Nordic impact will be enhanced by a strong Nordic cooperation.
"The Nordic countries have a long history of cooperation, dating back many centuries. Thanks to our strong economic, cultural and historical ties, it is only natural for us to continue our good cooperation during an event like Expo 2010," said Annika Rembe, Swedish Commissioner General.
The Nordic countries will cooperate on many projects before and during the Expo. In addition to a Nordic-Chinese Energy and Climate Day, there will also be a Children’s Film Festival, a seminar on food safety and an exhibition on Nordic landscape architecture.
The main sponsors of each Nordic Country were also presented and invited to make their contribution known to the Expo National Organizing Committee.
"Nordic countries are frontrunners in the development and use of telecommunications. As a strategic partner with leading service providers of telecom industry, we are happy to be part of Finland Pavilion at Expo 2010 and the Nordic Expo event in Beijing," said Zhang Zhiqiang, President of Nokia Siemens Networks, Greater China Region. "At the Expo 2010, we will demonstrate our competence in future mobile broadband technologies and enhanced user experience for a better city, better life."