Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, has been adorned with lights, flowers, and flags to welcome a high-profile meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Tuesday.
Welcome banners, SCO logos, and floral decorations are visible throughout the city, which has undergone a significant facelift ahead of the two-day gathering.
The 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO Member States will be attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who will also pay an official visit to Pakistan from Monday to Thursday.
India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is also set to attend, marking the first visit by a high-ranking Indian official to Pakistan in nearly a decade.
As part of the preparations, Pakistan's government is implementing special measures, including a three-day public holiday from Monday to Wednesday for residents of Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi. Schools will remain closed, giving students an extended weekend.
The local administration is focused on landscaping along major roads and enhancing the aesthetics of the high-security zone where the delegates will be staying.
The government has called for the expedited completion of all ongoing beautification and construction work ahead of the upcoming SCO meeting.
Islamabad adorned for upcoming SCO meeting
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
