Ayesha Al Bloushi, marine ecologist at the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, tells viewers how the UAE has taken care to protect its natural mangrove areas and even to extend them by planting young trees in the shallow waters surrounding some of Abu Dhabi’s islands. Developers are required to replant twice the size of any mangrove area that they cut down, she tells viewers.
Lee Tabler, CEO of Tourism Development ’&’ Investment Company, TDIC, describes how the UAE is investing in sustainable development projects in the tourism field, such as The Discovery Islands which include the wildlife reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island where a large herd of Arabian Orys runs free. "We are primarily interested in creating unique, long lasting, valuable tourism assets for this country", he explains. "All we are doing is managing the heritage that Sheikh Zayed had already created around the environment to create better cities in order to maintain better livelihoods", he adds.
"The religion that we have in this part of the world instills in us the traditions of hospitality, warmth, and tolerance that is truly Arab", adds Zaki Nusseibeh. Ahmed Abdulla Al Mehairbi is seen welcoming visitors to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, reinforcing that Islam is a religion of welcome. The mosque can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers and is open daily for visits of the general public. "The main idea of this area is not only about creating a place where Muslims can pray but it is to attract non-Muslims. To learn about Islam, to feel safe and to show that all religions can live well together, especially in this country".
"What’s exciting, right now, is that really this is making history", says Norman Foster when he describes Masdar City and the sustainable energy solutions it is pioneering. The UAE certainly has much to be proud of in its urban development and as this film so eloquently portrays, there is much to look forward to in the future.
"It is a very safe country to us it is one of the best Arabian Ambassadors in the world" sums up Majid Al Mansouri.
Building the Emirates: Better City Better Life is a media initiative of the National Media Council in support of the UAE’s participation at EXPO 2010. It will be widely shown in China and elsewhere to underline the UAE’s strong commitment to the core theme of EXPO 2010: Better City - Better Life.
Situated on largest plot size (6000 square metres) available to Expo participants, The Dunes, as the building has become known, has a footprint of 3452 square metres and encloses a total of approximately 3900 square metres of exhibition space, information areas, and other facilities.
The UAE was awarded a gold medal for its pavilion at Expo 2008 in Zaragoza and is looking for a similar success at Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
