With the theme “Better City, Better Life,” the biggest and most expensive World Expo was declared closed by Wen Jiabao, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Joining him were Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Vicente Gonzales Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau of Internationale de Exposition (BIE).
According to Palau representative, Director Dwight Alexander of the Bureau of Arts and Culture, the Closing Ceremony held at the Expo Center and the Expo Cultural Center was a whole day event which started at 9:00 in the morning and ended at 10:00 in the evening.
Aside from the 190 participating countries, there were 56 non-governmental organizations and private groups who helped made the event possible. Two million volunteers worked for the Expo within and outside the Expo grounds, including members of the Chinese Red Army and local police officers. Seven Summits of heads of states and ministers were held in the Expo site, and over 20,000 performances were showcased.
During the BIE award ceremony held on Saturday evening at the Expo Center, the Pacific Pavilion won two awards. Alexander said it marked the first time that the Pacific was highly recognized for their participation.
“We came in first in design, innovation and customer care, far above the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America and other groups that developed joint pavilions,” Alexander said in his email to Palau Horizon. “This was a great accomplishment to the Pacific countries.”
“While many of the countries harnessed science and technology in addressing the urbanization issues, several smaller countries focused on green technology and sustainable development. A number of countries won awards for their incorporation of local products into the designs and development of the core theme of their pavilions to promote the use of resources readily available to them at a sustainable manner.”
Alexander added that the Shanghai Organizing Committee for the World Expo also enriched the closing ceremonies with special plenaries dealing with various issues of city development and urbanization and how to utilize cutting edge technology in the development of sustainable cities.
In his speech, Jean Piere Lafon, President of the Bureau of Internationale de Exposition, thanked the Chinese government, the Shanghai City Government, the Expo Organizing Committee and all the countries that participated in the Shanghai World Expo.
Lafon described the Expo not only as the portrayal of human innovation addressing new challenges in developing sustainable livelihood for the people in cities, but also as an exhibition of cultural heritage harmonizing the spirit of humanity working for the good of the planet and its citizens.
“The Closing Ceremony was indeed grand and spectacular,” Alexander said. “During the performances everyone laughed, cheered, cried, and left with such unified spirit. People embraced each other in joy as they watched performers from little children to young adults. It was a most memorable closing ceremony.”
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