Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

On Monday 16 December 2019, Their Excellencies, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, received a visit briefing from His Excellency Mr Arthur Spyrou, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Ambassador Spyrou and Mr Ian Halliday, Australian Consul-General Dubai, met with Consulate staff and Australian State Commissioners involved with the Australian Pavilion for Expo 2020 at the Australian Consulate Dubai.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, at Zabeel Palace, Dubai. During the call, the Governor-General unveiled and presented a model of the Australian Expo 2020 Pavilion design.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Ambassador Spyrou, met with Australian Embassy staff and formally opened the expanded Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, during a Majlis at the Sea Palace, Abu Dhabi.