1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha, who is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), visited the site of Expo 2020 Dubai on the morning of December 6. She had a meeting with Minister of State for International Cooperation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy and visited the construction site of the Korea Pavilion.

2. During her meeting with Minister of State Al Hashimy, Foreign Minister Kang expressed hope that the UAE, which will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of its founding in 2021, will advance further and take a big step forward on the occasion of Expo 2020 Dubai; and mentioned that the Korean government will fully support the event to be successful through various ways, including holding cultural events.

° The Foreign Minister asked the UAE government to support the bid for World Expo 2030 Busan, which the Korean government has officially expressed its willingness to host, and also to share its successful experience of bidding for the Expo.

° Minister Al Hashimy extended deep appreciation to the Korean government for its willingness to support, voicing hope that the two countries would enhance cooperation in the field of World Expos so that the Dubai Expo would take place in a safe environment. The Minister added that she will actively share her experiences for the bidding process and that the UAE stands ready to share human and material assets for holding the Expos.

3. The two Ministers shared the understanding that global governance had faced a crisis before the outbreak of COVID-19 due to the lack of trust based on multilateralism and norms, and exchanged views on ways to restore multilateralism. They also  shared the understanding that close bilateral cooperation is necessary for effective development cooperation.

° Foreign Minister Kang mentioned that Korea is providing assistance with a focus on the recipient countries’ response to COVID-19 and sustainable development based on its experience of development of being the only case of transforming from a recipient to a donor country. She conveyed hope that Korea and the UAE would also expand scope in development cooperation for third countries as part of cooperation on health diplomacy.

° Minister Al Hashimy responded by highly commending Korea’s role in the area of development cooperation and expressing hope that the two countries, through bilateral cooperation, would join together the international community’s efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

4. After the meeting, Minister Al Hashimy, by driving herself the car that the Foreign Minister was riding, took her to the construction site of Expo 2020 Dubai, including the Korea Pavilion, and explained the progress in the work for Expo 2020. Foreign Minister Kang gave words of encouragement to Korean workers at the construction site of the Korea Pavilion and asked the Minister Al Hashimy to prioritize the safety of the Korean workers.

5. Afterwards, Foreign Minister Kang moved to Abu Dhabi and, on behalf of the President of Korea, awarded an Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Gwanghwa Medal to UAE Minister of Culture and Youth H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi.

° Foreign Minister Kang noted that the Korea-UAE relations have advanced greatly in the cultural context with Minister Al Kaabi’s active role, and asked her to make further efforts for more cultural exchanges between the two countries during the “Korea-UAE Cultural Dialogue 2020,” which will continue throughout the year 2021.

° Minister of Culture Al Kaabi mentioned that it is a great honor to receive a medal from the Korean government, adding that she will make full efforts to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.