Expo 2020 Dubai spotlights six country pavilions on World Ocean Day

Oceans contain about 70 per cent of the Earth’s water and about 500 dead zones that are more than 245,000 square kilometres in size, according to UNESCO. That’s the equivalent of the surface of the United Kingdom. And it’s only getting worse, with climate change eroding ecosystems and man-made intrusions such as plastic causing underwater catastrophes. | Above: Fiji, which will use the Expo 2020 platform to showcase marine conservation

Recognising the pressing need to create awareness about conservation, on the occasion of World Ocean Day, June 8, we look at six country pavilions that have anchored the theme of ocean protection into their design and interactive exhibitions.

Organisers say that further initiatives will be taken to put water at the heart of Expo's agenda, which includes a thematic focus week titled Water Week.

Kicking off the list is Fiji, a small island country ‘Riding the waves of happiness’ as per its theme despite the population facing challenges due to rising sea levels. A sombre, immersive underwater experience, featuring projections, clouds and waves, gives visitors an insight into how rising sea levels are impacting the country, before revealing how Fiji has become a leader and advocate for combatting climate change.

Built in the semblance of a mighty cargo ship, the Norway Pavilion designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects houses a 680-square-metre exhibition space that maps out underwater topography. Visitors will find out about Norway's seafaring heritage and its focus on maritime activities by taking an interactive journey from beneath the seabed to the water's surface. While it will highlight dangers to ocean health such as marine litter, oil spill and overfishing, the pavilion will also offer cutting-edge innovations that could help safeguard the world’s marine ecosystems.

Budji+Royal Architecture designed the Philippines Pavilion to resemble the country’s coral reefs or ‘Bangkota’ in Tagalog, where visitors will discover free-flowing, open spaces, reflecting how the island country is connected around the world by travel, migration, and technology. It will feature stunning imagery (pictured) by Manila-based underwater photographer and diver Scott Tuason.

Known as the Last Kingdom of the Pacific, Tonga invites visitors see the world and our impact on it through the eyes of a child. Inside the pavilion, children will find a young Tongan boy, Lafi, who will introduce the young visitors to his best friend, Lei the humpback whale, a creature that has to be rescued from amid a sea of plastic. The pavilion showcases the treasures that exist in the Tongan waters, including schools of fish, colourful coral reefs and a whale swimming leisurely on the floor, giving visitors the feeling that they are treading on water.

Taking visitors on a treasure hunt, the Seychelles Pavilion displays the natural beauty and history of the islands, an almost untouched piece of paradise that is under threat from a range of issues, including plastic pollution and climate change crisis. The Seychelles Pavilion highlights the steps that are being taken to secure the country’s present and future through leading blue economy initiatives, such as the first blue bond it pioneered, an ocean financing instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.

Beauty, food and music will provide insight into the rich cultural heritage of St Kitts and Nevis. The pavilion will invite visitors to enjoy the calm scenes of an island paradise, featuring underwater imagery (pictured) of its marine wildlife. The light reflected by the mesh ceiling creates an aquamarine atmosphere, which makes visitors feel like they are walking underwater. By peering into small windows, each visitor will be able to find themselves interacting with the country’s vibrant natural environment.