His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday visited Expo Milano 2015, which is being hosted by the Italian city and will run until early November.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed toured the exhibition in which 121 countries are participating, including the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Mohammed visited the UAE's pavilion, organised by the National Media Council (NMC), where a number of national institutions are participating to promote the country's achievements in various sectors.

Later, Sheikh Mohammed watched the eight-minute long mini feature film 'Family Tree' which follows a young girl, Sara (played by Mahra Hisham Mustafa), as she learns that values and experiences of past generations can help in the quest for a sustainable future. The film recounts the success story of earlier Emirati generations who overcame harsh climate and other hardships including shortage of water and food before oil was discovered in the country.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid accompanied the star of the film as he toured the section of Expo 2020 Dubai which showcases the civilisational progress of the UAE and preparations for hosting the global event in 2020.

Later, he visited the pavilions of France and the UK, as well as the Hypermarket, the pavilion organised by COOP, the Italian supermarket chain.

He expressed admiration of the organisation of Expo Milano 2015 has been organised and commended the national government and semi-government institutions for participating in the global mega event to promote the country's civilisation, culture and tourism and enhance the national economy as the next stop of the event will be in Dubai, UAE, after five years.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed instructed the chairman and members of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Preparatory Committee to pay attention to any shortfalls in the organisation of Expo Milano 2015 in order to avoid them in Expo 2020 Dubai.

His Highness the Vice President and Prime Minister commended the NMC for organising the UAE pavilion at the global event, as well as the efforts to project the civilisational image of the UAE.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Group and Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Preparatory Committee; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State, Managing Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Committee and Director General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau; Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shaibani, Director General of the Court of Dubai Ruler; Lt. General Musabbah AI Fattan, Director of the Office of the Office of Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of Dubai's Protocol Department; Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of Meydan; Saqr Naser Al Raisi, Ambassador of the UAE to Italy; and Salim Al Ameri, Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015, and others.