Sharjah24 – WAM: Paraguay celebrated its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day on Friday with a visit from Mario Abdo Benitez, President of Paraguay, and dazzling cultural performances that showcased the country's unique and diverse talents.

President Benitez was welcomed by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Nahyan said, "With Paraguay's strategic location at the centre of the South American continent, the pavilion positions it as the focal point of connectivity for the region, and highlights its achievements as the largest per capita producer of renewable energy in the world.

"We are pleased to share a prospering relationship with Paraguay, one based on friendship and shared goals, and look forward to broadening the scope of our cooperation in various fields of joint interest, including food security, trade and agriculture."

President Benitez, in turn, stated, "Paraguay, as a participant country, looks at this Expo as a strategic platform to strengthen ties with the UAE and the world through the UAE and develop new opportunities and partnerships.

"We have come to Dubai to showcase our culture, art, music, and the abundance of our natural resources, which, combined with the hard work of our people, has led to an economic story of success. This truly reveals who we are and what we can offer the world."

An upbeat cultural performance marked the occasion at Al Wasl Plaza's Stage on Nations – Tierra Adentro, a Latin American Folklore band considered the ambassadors of new Paraguayan folklore, accompanied by the Ballet Folklórico Iberoamericano, a group spreading Paraguayan culture around the world through the medium of dance.

The Paraguay Pavilion, located in the Mobility District, focuses on connecting water, energy and mobility, highlighting the strategic potential of water in the country in generating renewable energy, while showcasing the nation's connectivity to the world via its rivers and food production.

The pavilion also highlights the nation's cultural richness, commitment to sustainable development and business opportunities.