The UAE attended the first of many engagements aimed at presenting and planning Expo 2020 since winning the bid in November
Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State and member of the Expo’s higher committee, presented the UAE’s vision and an update on developments to the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris on Wednesday.
“Our goal to deliver on an Expo with seamless operations will leverage the national efforts to implement a greater vision shaping the next 50 years of our country,” Ms Al Hashimi told the BIE’s delegation of 168.
She stressed the importance to the region of staging the expo in Dubai.
“The tremendous support we received in November marked a significant victory, not only for us but for all countries across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia,” Ms Al Hashimi said.
The theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” is being taken literally and is the central design principle for the Expo, she said.
“We hope to engage with participants, to create opportunities for the public and the private sector to work together, and to make collaboration an essential instrument to deliver a great event with the level of quality and impact we all seek in a World Expo,” Ms Al Hashimi explained.
The committee must submit a plan of execution to the BIE by October next year, listing full details.
Once approved, organisers can engage with international participants, and begin building at the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali.
It is expected that 25 million visitors will attend Dubai Expo 2020, which runs from October 20, 2020 until April 10, 2021.
All major construction is expected to be completed by October 2019.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
