On 17th January 2022, the National Day took place at Expo 2020 Dubai, the day dedicated to the country of São Tomé and Príncipe, which was attended by Consul Silvia Grosso, as the Pavilion's first financer, accompanied by: Minister of Tourism and Culture Aerton do Rosário, Minister of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Osvaldo Abreu, and the entire São Tomé delegation that travelled to Dubai for the occasion.
Representing the United Arab Emirates, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation took part in the initiatives jointly organised by the Pavilion staff and the EXPO 2020 Protocol Services.
This day began with the raising of the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe and that of the United Arab Emirates at Al Wasl Plaza, the centre of the Universal Exhibition, where an initial speech was given by Minister Osvaldo Abreu, as head of the São Tomé and Príncipe delegation, and by the representative of the United Arab Emirates, followed by a performance put in place by people from São Tomé and Príncipe who had travelled to Dubai.
This initiation ceremony was followed by a visit to the São Tomé and Príncipe Pavilion and the UAE Pavilion, which allowed for the meeting of different cultures, giving the second smallest archipelago in Africa the opportunity to come into direct contact with illustrious representatives of the UAE.
At the end of National Day, performances were given by the entire staff of the São Tomé and Príncipe Pavilion, as well as the projection of the country's flag on the dome of Al Wasl Plaza, symbol of Expo 2020, and then headed to Roberto's Restaurant where a gala dinner was held, kindly organised and offered by the Honorary São Tomé and Príncipe Consulate in Milan, which allowed a discussion on the different opportunities presented during the first quarter of the World Expo.
