Malaysia’s country pavilion at Expo 2020 is complete 92 percent and full completion of the core and shell is expected by end of May 2021 followed by application for commissioning, a top official of the pavilion’s implementing agency said.  

Situated between the Sustainability District and Mobility District at the Expo 2020 premises, the pavilion spans an area of 1,234.05 square metres and is the first net zero carbon initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

Net zero carbon is achieved by offsetting the carbon used in construction, operations, materials and recovery. 

The pavilion, designed as a rainforest canopy, is inspired by Malaysian rainforests for giving the visitors an immersive experience of being in a rainforest. 

The main theme of the pavilion is ‘energising sustainability’ to capture Malaysia’s commitment to balance socio-economic progress with environmental protection in order to ensure a sustainable future. 

“As of end of March, the pavilion was 92 percent complete, and full completion of core and shell is expected to be achieved in May 2021 followed by application for commissioning,” said Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor, CEO of Malaysian Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC),  the implementing agency for Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2020. 

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Shamsul Bahar Mohd. Nor, CEO of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre & Mohd Tarid Sufian, Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE

He added that the project did not face any supply chain delay in spite of the lockdown following the spread of Covid-19 pandemic due to strict movement control.  

"Building the pavilion was a challenging project, but exciting too as it blended superior skills with imagination to provide visitors an immersive experience of being in a rainforest." 

“Visitors will find the rainforest canopy concept in the middle of the desert enchanting, complete with tree clusters to walk through flanked by robust flora and fauna and a river meandering in between.  The aim is to rekindle the experience of the benign nature and reflect on how it has protected mankind all along,” said Shamsul, who is also the project director for the pavilion. 

Malaysia’s Ambassador to the UAE Mohd Tarid Sufian said the pavilion is an endeavour to highlight the benevolence of nature’s harmony and the need for humanity to be sensitive to it. Meranti wood has been extensively used for the pavilion’s façade to make a statement of Malaysia’s sustainable forestry practices and timber products.  

Malaysia’s ministry of science, technology and innovation is managing the participation of the South Asian nation at the World Expo. The pavilion will have participation from 22 government ministries, 40 agencies and five state governments. 

The structure is designed by Kuala Lumpur-based Hijjas Architects + Planners. Design Integrated (DIAEC Dubai) is the architect of record. 

The contractors are PICO (Malaysia) and RAQ Electromechanical Company, Dubai. 

(Reporting by Bhaskar Raj; Editing by Anoop Menon) 

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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