Fairs, Forums and congresses

EXPO ZARAGOZA 2008

From June to September the International Exhibition of Expo Zaragoza will be celebrating “Water and Sustainable Development ". This international event, coordinated by the Bureau of International Expositions, the organization that is responsible for sanctioning World's Fairs, invites participants to reflect over the current need of water through various cultural experiences under the astounding architecture of the Expo.

As a global summit on water and sustainable development, the Expo strives to stimulate international economic cooperation. Sponsored by the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Zaragoza, Spain, the Expo will announce the principal innovations on water and sustainability, as well as facilitating a business platform of economic cooperation to various companies within the sector.

Zaragoza, host city for the International Exposition, is the administrative and financial capital of the autonomous community of Aragon and the fifth largest Spanish city in inhabitants (660,000), behind Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. Zaragoza was elected the host city of Expo 2008 on December 16, 2004 by the BIE, beating Thessaloniki, Greece and Trieste, Italy.

The exhibition’s most emblematic buildings are the Water Tower, a 80-metre-high transparent building designed by Enrique de Teresa to evoke a drop of water, Zaha Hadid's Bridge Pavilion and the river aquarium. The exposition site also hosts several spectacles, including a daily parade by Cirque du Soleil called The Awakening of the Serpent.

Aside from the countries, non-government organizations and private companies also take part in Expo 2008, always with the idea of water and sustainable development. The Expo 2008 host committee has estimated that this event could generate 135 million euros in receipts for admission to the exhibition centre.

With the attendance of more than 140 visiting countries plus dozens of companies and NGOs, the International Exposition site is located within the Ranillas Meander, west of the city of Zaragoza. On the banks of the River Ebro, these pavilions have been placed, with 2000 experts and 5000 cultural activities to make this international summit appealing to all nationalities. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the first 104 countries to register for the event with late-comers including the Indian Pavilion which houses a restaurant and shops selling traditional merchandise, not making it onto the list.

The objective of their presence at the Expo Zaragoza 2008 varies from country to country. All are here in support of the cause of sustainable water development with some countries, including Oman from the Middle East, coming to research new technologies and share their previous experiences with the problem of being able to provide water to its people, while others have come to attract investors in varying sectors of their economies and to increase tourism from outside of their region. Countries are striving to achieve these objectives through a variety of different types of pavilion displays. These displays range from the cultural display of the marketplace as seen in the Yemen pavilion, to 4D presentations that include 3D films on culture and how it has been influences by water over the ages accompanied by moving seats and sprays of water, as seen in the Kuwaiti pavilion.

The interest elicited by the pavilions is further heightened by the activities and shows put together for the various national Days of Honor. The Days of Honor offer the chance to select countries each day to put together an agenda of educational and entertainment activities often attended by special delegations of ministers of state, prime ministers and presidents who come to represent their countries at this exceptional event. These Days of Honor often include scientific lectures and debates, traditional dances and music, shows and special additions to the pavilions including door prizes for visitors who attend on these days.

With all there is to see and learn here at the Expo Zaragoza 2008 this is an international forum that can’t be missed!

WINNE, as a leader in international reporting, is once again present at this truly Global Event.

This summit will intensify the relations between Europe and the rest of the world, as the United States, Japan, China, the Middle East, and numerous Sub-Saharan African countries will be present to showcase groundbreaking technological innovations on this international platform. This platform allows for the exchanging of vital information on new water treatment technologies as well as surfacing the many varied opportunities for investment in these culturally rich and diverse nations.

For more information, check back on www.winne.com for the latest developments and contact details for the event.

Kuwaiti Minister of Information Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamed Al-Sabah with World Investment News representatives Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price.

Yemen Minister of Tourism Mr. Nabil Hassan Al-Fakih with World Investment News representatives Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price

Yemen Minister of Agriculture Mr. Ibrahim Akopari Ahmed with World Investment News representatives Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price

Yemen Pavilion Director Mr. Hassam Ali M. Alfarran with World Investment News representatives Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price

Nigeria Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Commerce & Industry Mrs. E.B.P. Emuren with World Investment News representative Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price

Director of Nigerian Pavilion Ibrahim Akopari Ahmed with World Investment News representatives Valerie Janczewski and Valerie Price.

Kenya Comissary Mr. Maurice Abuom with World Investment News representative Valerie Janczewski

Cathedral of Pilar Zaragoza, Spain