The Israeli pavilion at the 2020 Dubai Expo is scheduled to open on Oct. 7. But even before opening, it has become an important platform from strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries. Three Israeli ministers either have visited or will visit the United Arab Emirates in relation to the exposition. Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked have already concluded their trips and Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov will inaugurate the Israeli pavilion in Dubai on Thursday.
The two Israeli ministers wasted no time in the Emirates. Zandberg arrived on Oct. 4 to meet with Emirati Climate Change and Environment Minister Mariam Almheiri to discuss cooperation on environmental projects. She said after the meeting, “In July we signed in Israel a series of understandings on the environment and climate, and today we met at the Expo Dubai for our first work meeting in order to begin breaking it down into projects. We have many shared challenges and many shared opportunities.” In a tweet, Zandberg referred to Almheiri as "my friend."
